XMM-Newton

The European Space Agency's X-ray space observatory is the biggest scientific satellite ever built in Europe, its telescope mirrors were amongst the most powerful ever developed in the world and with its sensitive cameras it will see much more than any previous X-ray satellite.


Since Earth's atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission will help scientists solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.

Credit: European Space Agency