First Scientific Image Transmitted by NASA’s IXPE Mission.

NASA’s Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), which was launched on December 9, 2021, has recently provided its initial imaging data following the completion of its month-long commissioning phase, just in time for Valentine’s Day.All the instruments on board the observatory are operating smoothly as it embarks on a mission to investigate some of the most enigmatic and extreme entities in the cosmos.

IXPE’s primary focus was directed towards Cassiopeia A, an entity composed of the remnants of a star that exploded during the 17th century. The explosion’s shockwaves have gathered surrounding gas, causing it to heat up to elevated temperatures and propel cosmic ray particles, forming a luminous cloud visible in X-ray light. While previous telescopes have studied Cassiopeia A, IXPE offers researchers a fresh perspective to examine it.

The magenta color saturation in the image corresponds to the intensity of X-ray light observed by IXPE. It overlays high-energy X-ray data, depicted in blue, obtained from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Chandra and IXPE, equipped with distinct types of detectors, capture varying levels of angular resolution or sharpness. An alternative version of this image, solely showcasing IXPE data, is also available. These images encompass IXPE data collected from January 11 to 18.

Similar to IXPE, Chandra’s inaugural image in 1999 was also of Cassiopeia A. Chandra’s X-ray imagery unveiled, for the first time, the presence of a compact object at the core of the supernova remnant, which could potentially be a black hole or neutron star.

Martin C. Weisskopf, the principal investigator for IXPE at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, emphasized the significance of the IXPE image of Cassiopeia A, comparing it to the historic Chandra image of the same supernova remnant. This image showcases the potential of IXPE to uncover unprecedented information about Cassiopeia A, which is currently being analyzed.

Paolo Soffitta, the Italian principal investigator for IXPE at the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) in Rome, expressed his excitement about the image, describing it as “bellissima.” He eagerly anticipates delving into the polarimetry data to gain further insights into this supernova remnant.

By studying the polarization data obtained from Cassiopeia A, IXPE will enable scientists to observe the varying levels of polarization across the 10 light-year diameter of the remnant. This will provide valuable insights into the production of X-rays at Cassiopeia A. Currently, researchers are diligently working with the data to construct the first-ever X-ray polarization map of the object, which will unlock new clues about the nature of X-ray emission in this celestial phenomenon.

Roger Romani, an IXPE co-investigator at Stanford University, expressed that the future polarization images of IXPE will uncover the underlying mechanisms of this renowned cosmic accelerator. In order to enhance the precision of IXPE’s measurements, we have devised a method utilizing machine learning techniques. The analysis of all the data holds great anticipation for the discoveries that lie ahead.

IXPE was launched into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral and currently resides 370 miles (600 kilometers) above Earth’s equator. This mission is a collaborative effort between NASA, the Italian Space Agency, and partners and science collaborators from 12 countries. The management of spacecraft operations is overseen by Ball Aerospace, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado.

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