2017年CRI China' space telescope set to search for black holes, pulsars

 

China launches its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, via a Long March-4B rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi Desert on June 15, 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

China launched its first X-ray space telescope to observe black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts. It's expected to bring new breakthroughs in the study of high-energy astrophysics.

It's being hailed as another stride in the country's space exploration following the recent launches of the Dark Matter Particle Explorer and the Quantum Experiments at Space Scale missions.

The Hard X-ray Modulation¹ Telescope (HXMT), dubbed² Insight, was sent into an orbit of 550 kilometers above the earth to help scientists better understand the evolution of black holes, and the strong magnetic fields and interiors of pulsars.

Through the 2.5-tonne telescope, scientists will also study how to use pulsars for spacecraft navigation, and search for gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.

Zhang Shuangnan is a lead scientist on the telescope project.

"The telescope will observe the X-rays generated in the evolution of the materials near black holes and neutron³ stars. By observing the X-ray radiation, the telescope can enable us to study the scientific laws that cannot be studied in laboratories on Earth."

Compared with X-ray astronomical⁴ satellites of other countries, China's telescope can detect larger areas, has a broader energy range and wider field of view.

These are believed to give it advantages in observing black holes and neutron stars emitting bright X-rays and have higher efficiency for scanning the galaxy⁵.

Zhao Jian, from the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense⁶, is confident about Insight.

"Currently in the world there are seven similar satellites in orbit. But our satellite has strong comprehensive capabilities⁷ for detection. It can detect a wider range of wave bands and the full energy spectrum⁸ ranging from high to moderate and low energy as well as the gamma-ray area."

Insight will be in operation for at least four years.

It's regarded as a small observatory⁹ in space, as it carries a trio of detectors¹⁰ -- the high energy X-ray telescope, the medium energy X-ray telescope and the low energy X-ray telescope.

Black holes will be the focus of its observation.

Chinese experts say compared with foreign X-ray satellites which are mostly suitable for observing relatively¹¹ calm black holes, the Chinese telescope is suitable for observing angry black holes and neutron stars.

Another major task for Insight is to find electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

Many scientists believe if they can find electromagnetic signals happening at similar positions and times of gravitational wave events, it would increase the reliability¹² of the detection,while combined analysis of gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals will help reveal more about the celestial¹³ bodies emitting gravitational waves.

1 modulation   

n.调制

参考例句：

• The soft modulation of her voice soothed the infant. 她柔和的声调使婴儿安静了。
• Frequency modulation does not allow static to creep in. 频率调制不允许静电干扰混入。

2 dubbed   

v.给…起绰号( dub的过去式和过去分词 )；把…称为；配音；复制

参考例句：

• Mathematics was once dubbed the handmaiden of the sciences. 数学曾一度被视为各门科学的基础。
• Is the movie dubbed or does it have subtitles? 这部电影是配音的还是打字幕的？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 neutron   

n.中子

参考例句：

• Neutron is neutral and slightly heavier than the proton.中子是中性的，比质子略重。
• Based on the neutron energy,the value of weighting factor was given.根据中子能量给出了相应的辐射权重因子的数值。

4 astronomical   

adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的

参考例句：

• He was an expert on ancient Chinese astronomical literature.他是研究中国古代天文学文献的专家。
• Houses in the village are selling for astronomical prices.乡村的房价正在飙升。

5 galaxy   

n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物)

参考例句：

• The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
• The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

8 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

9 observatory   

n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台

参考例句：

• Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
• Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。

10 detectors   

探测器( detector的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The report advocated that all buildings be fitted with smoke detectors. 报告主张所有的建筑物都应安装烟火探测器。
• This is heady wine for experimenters using these neutrino detectors. 对于使用中微子探测器的实验工作者，这是令人兴奋的美酒。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技

11 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

12 reliability   

n.可靠性，确实性

参考例句：

• We mustn't presume too much upon the reliability of such sources.我们不应过分指望这类消息来源的可靠性。
• I can assure you of the reliability of the information.我向你保证这消息可靠。

13 celestial   

adj.天体的；天上的

参考例句：

• The rosy light yet beamed like a celestial dawn.玫瑰色的红光依然象天上的朝霞一样绚丽。
• Gravity governs the motions of celestial bodies.万有引力控制着天体的运动。