50 years of X-ray astronomy

 

50 years of X-ray astronomy

In June 2012, X-ray astronomy celebrates its 50th anniversary, following the discovery of the first extra-solar cosmic X-ray source in 1962. The XMM-Newton team recognizes the rich heritage from which XMM-Newton has grown and joins astronomers all over the world in the celebration.
 



Also XMM-Newton has observed the first cosmic X-ray source different than the Sun, Scorpio X-1, which was discovered in June 1962: This figure shows the high-resolution soft X-ray spectrum of Sco X-1, taken with the RGS instrument.
 

The diffuse X-ray background discovered in 1962 together with Sco X-1, is now recognized to be produced by individual objects, mainly distant active galaxies, as shown, e.g., by this XMM-Newton EPIC image of the Lockman Hole.