Explanation – X-ray polarimetry is a tool used to study the polarization of X-rays from various celestial objects, including black holes. It helps in understanding the physical nature and geometry of various classes of astrophysical sources, including the location of the source regions of X-ray radiation near black holes. Unlike normal X-ray measurements which measure only the energy or intensity of the radiations, polarisation characteristics of X-rays tells about the orientation of the oscillating electric field. This hold clues on the geometry and other properties of the black hole. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is NASA’s first mission to study polarisation of X-rays from celestial objects.

Source: Forum IAS