Astrophysics Branch
Marshall Space Flight Center's Astrophysics Branch uses space and ground-based observatories to peer back to the earliest epochs of the universe, unravel its mysteries, and study the most violent explosions in our galaxy and beyond. Our goal is to help discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars.
Launched in 1999, the Chandra X-ray Observatory began its 25th year in orbit on July 23, 2023. Originally a 3 year mission (with a 5 year goal), continuous engineering and science efforts are ongoing to ensure Chandra’s longevity. Largest among …
On 7/18/23, NASA posted “NASA’s IXPE Fires Up Astronomers With New Blazar Findings” (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ixpe/feature/nasa-s-ixpe-fires-up-astronomers-with-new-blazar-findings), reporting rotating x-ray polarization in the blazar Markarian 421, suggesting a helical magnetic-field structure within its jet. See the image below. On 7/28/23, Astronomy & Astrophysics …
Imaging X-Ray Polarimetery Explorer (IXPE) News and Publications Read More »
The Advanced Neutron Spectrometer on the ISS (ANS-ISS) has completed both the primary and secondary exposure objectives aboard the ISS. The hardware was returned to ground on SPX-28 return flight. All data from the exposures have been collected and analyzed …
The Advanced Neutron Spectrometer Completed Tech-Demo Mission Read More »
Team members (Steve Bongiorno, Wayne Baumgartner, Nick Thomas, Jessica Gaskin, Panini Singam, and Danielle Gurgew) from the X-ray Astronomy Group (ST12) presented 6 talks and 1 poster detailing the current status of our X-ray optics modeling, fabrication, coatings, alignment and …
Optics for EUV, X-ray and Gamma-ray Astronomy XI for 2023 SPIE Optics + Photonics Read More »
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan were featured on the Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast where they discussed details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. A joint effort between …