Einstein Observatory: new perspectives in astronomy

Journal Article · Fri Aug 22 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.209.4459.865· OSTI ID:6593364

Giacconi, R; Tananbaum, H

High-sensitivity x-ray measurements with the recently launched Einstein Observatory are having a major impact on wide areas of astronomical research. The x-ray luminosity of young O, B, and A stars and late K and M stars is found to be several orders of magnitude greater than predicted by current theories of coronal heating. Detailed x-ray images and spectra of supernova remnants are providing new information on the temperature, composition, and distribution of material ejected in supernova explosions as well as of the material comprising the interstellar medium. Observations of galaxies are yielding insights on the formation and evolution of stellar systems and galaxies over a wide range of variables. X-ray time variations are being used to probe the underlying energy source in quasars and active galactic nuclei. The distribution of mass in clusters of galaxies is being traced through detailed x-ray images, and the data are being used to classify clusters and trace their formation and evolution. Substantial progress is being made in several areas of cosmological research, particularly in the study of the diffuse x-ray background. 13 figures.

• Research Organization: Harvard/Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 6593364
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 209:4459; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MASS
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
REVIEWS
STARS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SUPERNOVAE
VARIABLE STARS