X-ray telescope

High-energy light collector

An X-ray telescope is an instrument designed to detect X-ray emissions from celestial objects—stars, galaxies, black holes, and other high-energy phenomena.

Because Earth's atmosphere absorbs X-rays, these telescopes must operate in space.

Unlike optical telescopes that use lenses or mirrors to focus visible light, X-ray telescopes use specially angled mirrors that deflect X-rays at grazing incidence.

Related

astronomy · balloons · deep space · imaging · supernova remnant · exploration · radiation · wavelengths · detection · space probe · spectroscopy · discovery · spectrometer · neutron star · spacecraft · Chandra · orbital mechanics · black hole

Opposites
electromagnetic spectrum band

X-ray telescoperadio telescope

Astronomical receiver for cosmic waves

optical telescope · infrared telescope

observation location

X-ray telescoperadio dish

Curved signal-gathering reflector

Family

X-ray, telescope, ray, rays, rayed, raying, telescopes, telescopic, telescoped

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G