The X-ray polarimetry explorer extended its boom arm to assume its operational configuration.
IXPE is a space observatory that was launched on December 9th from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
Mirrors can't bend the X-rays by large amounts, so bringing them into focus requires a long telescope. They have to use a device called a grazing incidence telescope. IXPE has three of these. Each sits on the end of the boom arm and directs light into the instruments.
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On Christmas Day, the space telescope will be launched.
The NASA's Newest-space-telescope-launch-christmas-day was published on Theguardian.com.
IXPE can reveal information about the magnetic environment of their targets by measuring the polarisation of the X-rays. The capsule was about 1 metres long on each side, with the boom arm folded into a canister. The IXPE was able to fit into the nose cone of the rocket. The boom was extended on 15 December. The telescope is ready to be used in the new year.
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