Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Location
The Chandra X-Ray Observatory is located in space. It actually orbits about 200 miles above the Hubble Telescope, and the distance it orbits is equal to more than 1/3 of the way to the moon
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The telescope captures X-Rays, and is the first and most advanced telescope of its kind to do so.
How It Works
The Chandra X-Ray observatory is 45 ft. long, containing 4 pairs of precisely crafted mirrors off of which the captured X-Ray photons ricochet.
Chandra's Discoveries
Hand of God
The chandra observatory captured this picture of a "cosmic hand" reaching for another nebula in the background. The blue color shows a higher concentration of energy and the red shows a lower concentration. This image is attributed to the x-ray abilities of the observatory.
SN 1987a
The earliest images in X-rays of the shock wave of a supernova were taken of SN 1987a
Location advantages
Located in space, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory has no light or atmosphere pollution to distort or affect the images it produces
Changes being made to Chandra
Rather than being technologically improved, Chandra has actually been altered for reduced costs. NASA reduced the amount of mirrors within the structure to help with the extreme cost of maintaining the observatory.
Data
The Chandra X-Ray center, located in Massachusetts, directs flight and receives and distributes the data from the observatory.