NuSTAR satellite launch
NuSTAR (The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) will be the first space telescope to create focused images of cosmic X-rays with the highest energies. NuSTAR will observe some of the hottest, densest and most energetic objects in the universe, including black holes, their high-speed particle jets, ultra-dense neutron stars, supernova remnants and our sun. It will observe high-energy X-rays with much greater sensitivity and clarity than any mission flown to date. Among its several goals, NuSTAR will address the puzzle of how black holes and galaxies evolve together over time.
NuSTAR is a NASA Small Explorer mission led by Professor Fiona Harrison at Caltech. NuSTAR detectors were built with over a decade of research and development at the Space Radiation Laboratory in Caltech.
The NuSTAR spacecraft will be launched on a Pegasus XL launch vehicle manufactured by Orbital sciences corporation from Kwajalein Atoll (8deg43min N, 167deg 44min E), part of the Marshall islands which lie midway between Hawaii and Australia.
The NuSTAR team is hosting a launch event at Caltech on launch day. The event will consist of a launch feed from NASA, interspersed with short talks by the NuSTAR team. Date: Wednesday, 13 June 2012 Time: 7:45 am -- 9:30 am Venue: Hameetman Auditorium, Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics
** To assist with planning we request, but not require, that you RSVPs for the event at: http://tinyurl.com/nustarlaunch
For more details about NuSTAR and the launch day event, visit http://www.nustar.caltech.edu/news/71/62/NuSTAR-Launch-Day-Activities-at-Caltech/d,news-detail or contact Karl Forester ([email protected])