Science Projects
The dedicated team at the Science Projects Branch provides oversight and support to numerous, cutting-edge, research projects and science teams across the Division. In addition to the projects listed below, they also manage the Chandra X-ray Observatory Program.
Earth Science
- SERVIR
Astrophysics
- Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE)
- Lynx X-ray Observatory
Optical Telescopes
- Predictive Thermal Control (PTC)
- Segmented Mirror Technology Program (SMPT)
Heliophysics
- Full sun Ultraviolet Rocket Spectrometer (FURST),
- Marshall Grazing Incidence X-ray Spectrometer, (MaGIXS)
- Hinode
- Scintillation Prediction Observations Research Task (SPORT)
- Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP)
- Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP 2)
- High-Resolution Coronal imager (Hi-C) Flare
On February 3, IXPE completed its prime mission and began the General Observer phase of the mission. During its 754-day baseline Science mission, IXPE conducted 115 total polarimetry observations of 64 distinct sources, for a total exposure of 439 days …
Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Completion of Baseline Science Mission Read More »
Astronomers have discovered one of the most powerful eruptions from a black hole ever recorded. This mega-explosion billions of years ago may help explain the formation of a striking pattern of star clusters around two massive galaxies, resembling beads on …
In January, the Science Test Branch (ST15) enabled a test of a LiDAR Engineering Unit for the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1). As perhaps the longest vacuum chamber available for use by experimenters, the X-ray & Cryogenic Facility’s …
LiDAR Testing at Marshall’s X-ray & Cryogenic Facility Read More »
On 2/9/24, Astrophysical Journal published online “First detection of polarization in X-rays for PSR B0540-69 and its nebula” by Fei Xie et al. On 2/21/24, Astrophysical Journal published online “Detection of X-ray polarization from the blazar 1ES 1959+650 with the …
New Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Discovery Papers Published Read More »
Chandra autonomously transitioned to Normal Sun Mode (NSM) during an observation late on Saturday, February 2, 2024. The transition was nominal, science instruments were safed properly, and all telemetry was as expected. The immediate cause of the anomaly was a …