Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

1 article for
"X-Ray Astronomy"

Study of objects lying outside the Solar Sytem, whose spectral wavelengths lie in the 12-0.0024 nanometer range, indicating photon energies of 100-500,000 electronvolts. X-ray emission was first discovered in the 1960s by detectors on satellites and rockets. By l974, 161 X-Ray sources had been located. These sources are an exciting point of speculation, as possible explanations for them include binary stars, one member of which is a black hole or neutron star. These objects challenge our basic understanding of the of the nature of matter and the universe.

See also:
♦ Wavelength ♦ Binary Star ♦ Black Hole ♦ Neutron Star ♦ Electromagnetic Spectrum