Athena: Exploring the Hot and Energetic Universe
Abstract
The Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics, Athena, is a large X-ray observatory concept designed to provide a transformational leap in our understanding of two key questions in astrophysics: 1) How does ordinary matter assemble into the large scale structures that we see today? 2) How do black holes grow and shape the Universe? The key observational breakthroughs needed to answer these questions are to open up the Universe to high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at the peak of galaxy evolution at redshifts z=1-4, and use sensitive wide field X-ray imaging to break through into the early Universe in the X-rays, at redshifts z>6. Athena, under study for launch by ESA in 2028, provides the necessary performance to revolutionize our understanding of the Hot and Energetic Universe. These capabilities will also provide a powerful observatory to be used in all areas of astrophysics.
- Publication:
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AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #14
- Pub Date:
- August 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014HEAD...1430101N