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The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer
Credit: NASA |
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, RXTE, was launched on
December 30, 1995. RXTE is designed to facilitate the study of time
variability in the emission of X-ray sources with moderate spectral
resolution. Time scales from microseconds to months are covered in a
broad spectral range from 2 to 250 keV. It is designed for a required
lifetime of two years, with a goal of five years.
Mission Characteristics
Lifetime: 30 December 1995 to the present
Energy Range: 2 - 250 keV
Special Features: Very large collecting area and all-sky
monitoring of bright sources
Payload:
- Proportional Counter Array (PCA)
2-60 keV energy range, 6500 sq cm, time resolution 1 microsec
- High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE)
15-250 keV energy range, 2 X 800 sq cm
- All-Sky Monitor (ASM)
2-10 keV energy range, 30 mCrab sensitivity
Science Highlight:
- Discovery of kilohertz QPO's
- Detection of X-ray afterglows from Gamma Ray Bursts
- Extensive observations of the soft state transition of Cyg X-1
- Observations of the Bursting Pulsar over a broad range of
luminosities, providing stringent test of accretion theories.
Archive: Catalogs, Spectra, Lightcurves, and Raw data
For Further Information .....
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