Hitomi Stories

Hitomi Mission Glimpses Cosmic ‘Recipe’ for the Nearby Universe

5 min read

Before its brief mission ended unexpectedly in March 2016, Japan’s Hitomi X-ray observatory captured exceptional information about the motions of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster. Now, thanks to unprecedented detail provided by an instrument developed jointly by NASA…

Article7 years ago

Hitomi Mission Charts Hot Winds of a Galaxy Cluster for the First Time

6 min read

Measurements of unprecedented detail returned by Japan’s Hitomi satellite have allowed scientists to track the motion of X-ray-emitting gas at the heart of the Perseus cluster of galaxies for the first time. The results showcase the long-awaited premiere of a…

Article8 years ago

New X-ray Space Observatory to Study Black Holes and History of Galaxy Clusters

5 min read

Editor’s note, Feb. 17, 2016: ASTRO-H launched successfully on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, at 3:45 a.m. EST. The satellite subsequently deployed its solar arrays and is currently functioning normally. ASTRO-H will provide astronomers with a new view of the high-energy universe and…

Article9 years ago