China Launches Einstein Probe: A Lotus-Shaped Satellite with Lobster-Eye-Inspired X-Ray Detection
The satellite will observe transient phenomena in the universe, aiming to capture the first light from supernova explosions, discover dormant black holes, and search for X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events.
- China has successfully launched the Einstein Probe, an astronomical satellite shaped like a lotus, to observe transient phenomena in the universe.
- The satellite uses new X-ray detection technology inspired by the functioning of a lobster eye, and is aimed at capturing the first light from supernova explosions, searching for X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events, and discovering dormant black holes and other faint celestial objects.
- The Einstein Probe mission is a collaborative endeavor led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in partnership with the European Space Agency and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany.
- The satellite will operate from a 600-kilometer altitude, in orbit around Earth, where it will observe the sky and space utilizing a Wide-field X-ray telescope.
- The Einstein Probe can observe an area of sky more than 10,000 full moons’ size at any given time, allowing it to observe almost the entire night sky in just three orbits around Earth, or under five hours.
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