GEMS (SMEX 13) [OSC]
GEMS (SMEX 13) [OSC] |
GEMS (Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX) is a small X-Ray observatory to measure polarized X-rays.
By providing an increase in sensitivity of more than 100 times, the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX mission will detect and measure the polarization of the X-rays emitted by some of the most energetic and enigmatic objects in the cosmos. These include ultra-dense neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes, which are the remains of the dying explosions of very hot, massive stars, and ultra-massive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. By studying the changes with time and energy of their polarized X-ray emission, the mission will probe the bending of space and the curving of light in regions of extreme gravity near these objects.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Particle imaging |
| Operator: | NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Contractors: | Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | LEOStar-2 |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launcher | Remarks: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEMS (SMEX 13) |
| Further SMEX missions: |
Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs