January 9th marked the launch of the Einstein Space Probe, on a mission to study X-ray emissions from unique cosmic phenomena. This endeavor is set to enhance scientists’ understanding of gravitational waves and the universe as a whole. The probe is named after the German theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein.
The undertaking is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. The Einstein Probe, an initiative of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was launched aboard China’s Chang Zheng rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, located in the southern part of the country. After the successful launch, the probe began its lengthy mission to survey the sky and search for traces of X-rays emitted by enigmatic objects such as neutron stars and black holes.
In an effort to efficiently scan and excavate the entire sky routinely for new sources of X-ray radiation, engineers equipped the Einstein Probe with two devices that offer a wide field of vision of the celestial sphere: a Wide-Field X-ray Telescope and a Follow-Up X-ray Telescope.
The design of the Wide-Field X-ray Telescope lens was inspired by the eyes of mantis shrimp, known for their unique and effective design for capturing and processing large amounts of light. This would give the Einstein Probe the singular capability to observe nearly a tenth of the celestial sphere in a single glance. The other telescope, designed for follow-up observations, may have a narrower field of view but is more sensitive, enabling it to extract significant details from the incoming rays once their location is determined.
In the long term, the probe will contribute to discovering new X-ray sources and monitoring how they change over time, a crucial element in bolstering scientists’ ability to comprehend the most active processes in the universe. Cosmic explosions frequently occur, producing X-rays such as those created by the collision of neutron stars, supernova explosions, and the engulfing of massive celestial bodies by black holes, among other phenomena.
Gravitational Waves
Eric Kolkers, a project scientist at the European Space Agency for the mission stated, “I look forward to the discoveries that the Einstein Probe will achieve. Thanks to the unique and wide field of vision of the telescope lens, we will be able to capture X-rays resulting from collisions between neutron stars and understand the cause of some gravitational waves that we detect on Earth. Often, when these ripples in space-time are recorded, we can’t pinpoint their source. By detecting X-ray bursts immediately, we will determine the origins of many gravitational waves.”
The Einstein Probe will orbit around Earth at an altitude of about 600 kilometers, completing a full orbit around the planet every 96 minutes at an orbital inclination of 29 degrees. This trajectory allows the probe to observe the night sky completely over three orbits. Over the next six months, the operations team will engage in testing and calibrating the instruments. Following this preparatory phase, the Einstein Probe will spend at least three years on its mission observing the sky and uncovering its secrets.
