Einstein Probe

Not to be confused withEinstein Observatory.

Einstein Probe

Einstein Probe artist impression
Names	Aiyinsitan Tanzhen
Mission type	Space observatory
Operator	CAS,ESA
COSPAR ID	2024-007A
SATCATno.	58753
Website	ep.bao.ac.cn/ep/
Mission duration	3 years (planned) 8 months and 23 days (ongoing)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Einstein Probe
Bus	Phoenix-Eye-2
Manufacturer	CAS
Launch mass	1,450 kg (3,200 lb)
Dimensions	3 × 3.4 m (9.8 × 11.2 ft)
Start of mission
Launch date	9 January 2024, 07:02 UTC
Rocket	Long March 2C
Launch site	XichangLC-3
Contractor	CASC
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude	581 km
Apogee altitude	596 km
Inclination	29°
Period	96 minutes
Instruments
Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT)
Einstein Probe Logo

TheEinstein Probe(EP) is anX-rayspace telescopemission byChinese Academy of Sciences(CAS) in partnership withEuropean Space Agency(ESA) and theMax Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics(MPE) dedicated to time-domainhigh-energy astrophysics.The primary goals are "to discover high-energy transients and monitor variable objects".The telescope was launched by aLong March 2Crocket from theXichang Satellite Launch Centrein China, on 9 January 2024, at 07:03UTC.

Scientific objectives

The primary science objectives are:

1. Identify inactiveblack holesto study how matter is precipitated there by detecting the transient events that take the form of X-ray flares;
2. Detect the electromagnetic counterpart of events triggering gravitational waves such as themerger of neutron starswhich will be discovered by the next generation of gravitational wave detectors;
3. Carry out permanent monitoring of the entire sky to detect the various transient phenomena and carry out measurements of known variable X-ray sources.

Instruments

Einstein Probe carries 2 scientific instruments: the Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT), and the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT).Both telescopes utilize X-ray focusing optics.

• Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT): WXT has a new optics design, called "lobster-eye",that has wider field of view."Lobster-eye" optics was first tested by theLobster Eye Imager for Astronomy(LEIA) mission, launched in 2022.WXT consists of 12Lobster-eye opticssensor modules, together creating a very large instantaneousfield-of-viewof 3600square degrees.The nominal detection bandpass of WXT is 0.5~4.0keV.Each module weighs 17 kg and has an electrical power consumption of just under 13 W. With the peripherals, the entire telescope weighs 251 kg and has a power consumption of 315 W.

• Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT): FXT has optics adopted fromeROSITA,"the mirror module consists of 54 nestedWolter mirrorswith a focal length of 1600 mm and an effective area of greater than 300 cm2 at 1.5keV."

The probe weights 1450 kg and is 3-by-3.4 metres.

Launch

Einstein Probe was launched on 9 January 2024, at 07:03UTCby aLong March 2Crocket from theXichang Satellite Launch Centrein China, and successfully placed inlow Earth orbitat an altitude of 600 kmand an inclination of 29 degrees, giving an orbital period of 96 minutes.

First results

CAS reported that EP "performs as expected in the first month".The probe detected fastX-ray transientEP240315a,andbright X-ray flaresEP240305aand EPW20240219aa.

See also

• Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes
• List of things named after Albert Einstein
• X-ray astronomy
• List of space telescopes#X-ray

Further reading

• Yuan, Weimin; Zhang, Chen; Chen, Yong; Ling, Zhixing (2022). "The Einstein Probe Mission".Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics.pp. 1–30.arXiv:2209.09763.doi:10.1007/978-981-16-4544-0_151-1.ISBN978-981-16-4544-0.

External links

• Official websiteatNAOC,CAS.ArchivedJanuary 2, 2022, at theWayback Machine
• Einstein Probeat ESA.int
• Einstein Probeat MPE.MPG.de