China’s “Einstein” Satellite Observes Astronomy
China Sends Advanced X-Ray Satellite into Space for Astronomy Observation
China has launched an astronomy observation satellite equipped with advanced X-ray equipment to study transient celestial phenomena including neutron star collisions, supernova explosions, and black holes.
The satellite, named “Einstein,” was sent into space by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Company (CASC) from the Xicang Satellite Center in Sichuan province using the Long March-2C carrier rocket.
Developed in partnership with China and France, the Variable Space Objects Tracking Vehicle (SVOM) has been designed to resemble a lotus flower, with 12 petals and 2 tendrils. The petals consist of wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT), while the tendrils consist of X-ray tracking telescopes (FXT), giving the satellite the function of a full-fledged observatory.
The SVOM satellite, also known as “Einstein,” is expected to detect phenomena and effects not captured by other telescopes due to its “lobster eye” model. This technology, designed with cube-shaped tubes facing the same spherical center, allows for light to be reflected into the tubes from all directions and focused on the retina, providing unlimited field vision.
Scientists aim to use the satellite to detect transient celestial phenomena such as supernova explosions, X-ray flashes associated with gravitational waves, immobile black holes, and variable celestial bodies deep in the universe. The satellite is named after Albert Einstein, as the proposal of black holes and gravitational waves first came from his “general theory of relativity.”
