






Astro*Dictionary by Michael Erlewine
1 article for "X-Ray"
X-Ray Astronomy [Astro*Index]Study of objects lying outside the Solar Sytem, whose spectral wavelengths lie in the 12-0.0024 nanometer range, indicating photon energies of 100-500,000 electronvolts. X-ray emission was first discovered in the 1960s by detectors on satellites and rockets. By l974, 161 X-Ray sources had been located. These sources are an exciting point of speculation, as possible explanations for them include binary stars, one member of which is a black hole or neutron star. These objects challenge our basic understanding of the of the nature of matter and the universe.
See also:
♦ Wavelength ♦ Binary Star ♦ Black Hole ♦ Neutron Star ♦ Electromagnetic Spectrum
Astro*Index Copyright © 1997 Michael Erlewine
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