By Marcia Dunn

NASA’s newest X-ray observatory rocketed into orbit Thursday to shed light on exploded stars, black holes and other violent high-energy events unfolding in the universe.

SpaceX launched the spacecraft on its $188 million mission from Kennedy Space Center. It’s called IXPE, short for Imaging X-ray Polarization Explorer.

Scientists said the observatory — actually three telescopes in one — will unveil the most dramatic and extreme parts of the universe as never before.

“IXPE is going to open a new window on the X-ray sky,” Brian Ramsey, NASA's deputy principal scientist, said this week.

Operations should begin next month. NASA is partnering with the Italian Space Agency on the project.

Share:
More In Science
Arctic Blast Hits Northeast
An arctic blast is hitting the Northeast as millions are dealing with wind chills that could hit as low as 60 below zero.
Atomos Developing Space Propulsion Vehicles to Reposition Satellites
Aerospace startup Atomos Space, which is developing a series of orbital transfer vehicles to help reposition satellites in space, recently closed on a $16 million financing round. CEO Vanessa Clark and COO William Kowalski joined Cheddar News to discuss the company's operations ahead of its launch.
Need2Know: January 31, 2023
First responders fired after video of police beating Tyre Nichols was released, 10 people show in Lanland, Fla. and winter storm is causing travel troubles. Here is everything you Need2Know for January 31, 2023.
Load More