Astronomy with EXOSAT
Abstract
The European Space Agency's X-ray observatory EXOSAT was operational from May 1983 to April 1986 and in that time made 1780 observations of a wide variety of objects including active galactic nuclei, stellar coronae, cataclysmic variables, white dwarfs, X-ray binaries, clusters of galaxies and supernova remnants. The 90hr high earth orbit allowed for the first time long uninterupted observations. In addition the instrumentation had a broad band spectral response from 0.05-30.0 keV with good spectral resolution. This allowed the continuum to be studied over two or three decades in frequency and also revealed many new spectral absorption and emission line features. In this review an overview of the strengths of the EXOSAT observatory are illustrated using a selection of key results.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0273-1177(90)90115-G
- Bibcode:
- 1990AdSpR..10b..21W
- Keywords:
-
- Exosat Satellite;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Spaceborne Telescopes;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- Active Galactic Nuclei;
- Galactic Clusters;
- Light Curve;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Stellar Spectra;
- X Ray Binaries;
- Astronomy