Chandra X-ray Observatory

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Chandra X-ray Observatory is a satellite launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999. It was named in honor of Indian-American physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar who is known for determining the mass limit for white dwarf stars to become neutron stars. "Chandra" also means "moon" or "luminous" in Sanskrit.

Related Topics:
Satellite - STS-93 - NASA - July 23 - 1999 - Indian - American - Physicist - Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar - White dwarf - Neutron stars - Chandra - Sanskrit

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Chandra Observatory is the third of NASA's four "Great Observatories". The first was Hubble Space Telescope; second the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, launched in 1991; and last is the Spitzer Space Telescope. Prior to successful launch, the Chandra Observatory was known as AXAF, the Advanced X-ray Astronomical Facility.

Related Topics:
Hubble Space Telescope - Compton Gamma Ray Observatory - 1991 - Spitzer Space Telescope

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Since the Earth's atmosphere absorbs the vast majority of X-rays, they are not detectable from Earth-based telescopes, requiring a space-based telescope to make these observations.

Related Topics:
Earth's atmosphere - X-ray - Telescope

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