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Source-This post is based on the article “China launches new satellite ‘Einstein Probe’ shaped like a lotus to observe violent cosmic phenomena” published in “Deccan Herald” on 9th January 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently China has launched a novel astronomical satellite named ‘Einstein Probe‘ into space. The objective is to investigate mysterious transient phenomena in the universe that resemble flickering fireworks.
What is Einstein Probe (EP)?
| Specifications | Details |
| What is it? | EP represents a mission led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) focused on time-domain high-energy astrophysics. |
| Mission Partners | European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), Germany. |
| Objective | 1. To monitor the sky in the soft X-ray band. 2. To detect intense bursts of high-energy light originating from celestial objects like merging neutron stars and black holes. |
| Launched on | January 9, 2024, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China by a “Long March-2C” rocket. |
What is its Significance?
1) Unlike traditional X-ray telescopes, the distinctive design of the Einstein Probe enables it to simultaneously observe nearly one-twelfth of the sky.
– This capability allows the identification of new sources as they emit X-rays, facilitating in-depth studies of known and new celestial phenomena over extended time frames.
2) It will identify light emissions from gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, flares from distant stars, and events within the Solar System, including emissions from comets.
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