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The Next Large X-ray Mission Constellation-X
Harvey Tananbaum and the Constellation-X Team
November 14, 2007
Astrophysics 2020:
Large Space Missions Beyond the Next Decade
X-ray emission probes the physics
of extreme processes, places and events
Black Holes
Strong Gravity
Neutron Stars
(B ~ 1012G)
Supernovae
Magnetars
(B ~ 1014G)
Cosmic Accelerators
Dark Matter
Dark Energy
 High temperatures, intense gravity, strong magnetic fields — explosions,
collisions, shocks, and collapsed objects
 Conditions not achievable in earth-bound labs or accelerators
 X-ray observations can only be made from space
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov
Accretion Disks and X-ray Reflection
The Iron fluorescence emission line is created when X-rays scatter and are
absorbed in dense matter, close to the event horizon of the black hole.
XMM-Newton
Schwarzschild
Kerr (spinning)
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov
Constellation-X Observation of Matter
Falling Towards a Super-Massive Black Hole
Constellation-X Observations
QuickTime™ and a
YUV420 codec decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov
Testing GR via consistency of measurements
If GR is correct, Con-X
measured spin and mass
should be independent of
radius of bright spot
GR incorrect
GR correct
F=510-11 erg/s/cm2; EW=20eV; M=6107
r=2.5 ; a=0.95 ; i=30 degrees
C. Reynolds University of Maryland
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov
Constellation-X Science Objectives
Black Holes
Observe hot matter spiraling into Black Holes to test the effects
of General Relativity
Trace their evolution with cosmic time, their contribution to the
energy output of the Universe and their effect on galaxy formation
Dark Matter and Dark Energy
Use clusters of galaxies to trace the locations of Dark Matter and
as independent probes to constrain the amount and evolution of
Dark Energy
Search for the missing baryonic matter in the Cosmic Web
Cycles of Matter and Energy
Study dynamics of Cosmic Feedback (outflow of mechanical energy,
radiation, and chemical elements from star formation and black holes
to the interstellar and intergalactic medium)
Track creation of heavy elements in supernovae, determine
equation of state for neutron stars, study stellar activity and protoplanetary systems, and analyze X-rays from solar system objects
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov
Constellation-X: A Future Astrophysics Great Observatory
ALMA
JWST
IR
Sub-mm
GSMT
LST
X-ray
Constellation-X
Optical
The two order of magnitude increase in capability of Constellation-X
is well matched to that of other large facilities planned for the 2010-2020 decade
http://constellation.gsfc.nasa.gov