Some Canadian astronomers will soon get to see black holes and supernovas in a whole new way.
The ASTRO-H, an intensely technological X-ray space telescope, is currently under development by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
They’re also getting contributions from the United States, Europe, and now Canada, through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
ASTRO-H will include five specialized X-ray telescopes and detectors. They will be able to look at space at a much higher resolution than ever before, with the ability to study black holes, supernova explosions, neutron stars, and how galaxies were formed.
Canadian astronomers have developed a key part of the instrument, the Hard X-ray Telescope.
JAXA approached the CSA back in 2009 about providing the piece.
Now, because of the contribution, Canada has three positions on the mission's Science Working Group, involving top scientists from around the world.
Members of the group will be offered prime observing time on the space observatory soon after launch, for about nine months. Data will then be made available to all scientists, including Canadian astronomers.
The CSA has selected three astronomers to represent Canada on the Science Working Group including Dr. Luigi Gallo of Saint Mary's University, Dr. Brian McNamara of the University of Waterloo, and Dr. Samar Safi-Harb of the University of Manitoba.
The ASTRO-H astronomy mission is slated for launch on Friday, February 12, at 12:45 a.m. (PST) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.
The launch will be broadcast on YouTube.
