Binary X-Ray Sources

Abstract

X-rays from space are completely absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and thus x-ray astronomy could not develop before it became possible to carry instruments aloft by balloons and little sounding rockets which were able to observe the x-ray sky for only a few minutes before they fell back down. As a first step. x-ray detectors were directed at the Sun and in 1948. the first solar x-rays were detected with a rocket-borne instrument.

“I am prepared to say unequivocally that the beginning of x-ray astronomy, opening up a new window into the universe and revealing the existence of several new classes of astronomical objects, was the most important single scientific fruit of the whole space program. The newly discovered x-ray sources gave an entirely fresh picture of the universe, dominated by violent events, explosions, shocks and rapidly varying dynamical processes. X-ray observations finally demolished the ancient Aristotelian view of the celestical universe as a serene region populated by perfect objects moving in eternal peace and quietness. The old quiescent universe of Aristotle, which has survived essentially intact the intellectual revolutions associated with the names of Copernicus, Newton and Einstein, disappeared forever as soon as the x-ray telescopes went to work.” F. J. Dyson