XRISM

An international team of scientists have provided an unprecedented tally of elemental sulfur spread between the stars using data from the Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) spacecraft.Astronomers used X-rays from two binary star systems to detect sulfur in the interstellar medium, the gas and dust found in the space between stars. It’s the first direct measurement of both sulfur’s gas and solid phases, a unique capability of X-ray spectroscopy, XRISM’s (pronounced “crism”) primary method of studying the cosmos.Using ultraviolet light, researchers have found gaseous sulfur in the space between stars. In denser parts of the interstellar medium, such as the molecular clouds where stars and planets are born, this form of sulfur quickly disappears.Scientists assume the sulfur condenses into a solid, either by combining with ice or mixing with other elements.When a doctor performs an X-ray here on Earth, they place the patient between an X-ray source and a detector. Bone and tissue absorb different amounts of the light as it travels through the patient's body, creating contrast in the detector.Scientists did something similar by picking a portion of the interstellar medium with the right density — not so thin that all the X-rays would pass through unchanged, but also not so dense that they would all be absorbed.Then they selected a bright X-ray source behind that section of the medium, a binary star system called GX 340+0 located over 35,000 light-years away in the southern constellation Scorpius.Using the Resolve instrument on XRISM, the researchers were able to measure the energy of GX 340+0’s X-rays and determined that sulfur was present not only as a gas, but also as a solid, possibly mixed with iron.Iron-sulfur compounds are often found in meteorites, so scientists have long thought they might be one way sulfur solidifies out of molecular clouds to travel through the universe. XRISM’s observations could match a few of these compounds — pyrrhotite, troilite, and pyrite, which is sometimes called fool’s gold.The researchers were also able to use measurements from a second X-ray binary called 4U 1630-472 that helped confirm their findings. ||

Cygnus X-3 is a high-mass X-ray binary system consisting of a compact object (likely a black hole) and a Wolf-Rayet star. This artist's concept shows one interpretation of the system. High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy indicates two gas components: a heavy background outflow, or wind, produced by the massive star and a turbulent structure — perhaps a wake carved into the wind — located close to the orbiting companion. As shown here, a black hole's gravity captures some of the wind into an accretion disk around it, and the disk's orbital motion sculpts a path (yellow arc) through the streaming gas. During strong outbursts, the companion emits jets of particles moving near the speed of light, seen here extending above and below the black hole.Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterAlt text: Illustration of the Cygnus X-3 systemImage description: On a cloudy reddish background, a bright blue-white circle — a representation of a hot, bright, massive star — sits near the center. Wisps of blue-white border its edges, and many lines of similar color radiate from it. In the foreground at about 4 o’clock lies a yellowish ring with a black hole in its center. From the ring trails a diffuse yellow arc, sweeping from right to left and exiting at the bottom of the illustration. Extending above and below the black hole are two blue-white triangles representing particle jets. || Cyg_X-3_illustration_4K.jpg (3840x2160) [505.1 KB] || Cyg_X-3_illustration_4K_print.jpg (1024x576) [58.5 KB] || Cyg_X-3_illustration_4K_searchweb.png (320x180) [64.7 KB] || Cyg_X-3_illustration_4K_web.png (320x180) [64.7 KB] || Cyg_X-3_illustration_4K_thm.png (80x40) [6.1 KB] ||

Watch to learn more about how the Resolve instrument aboard XRISM captures extraordinary data on the make-up of galaxy clusters, exploded stars, and more using only 36 pixels.Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic: "Stop and Hide" and "Wading Through" from Universal Production MusicWatch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.Complete transcript available. || XRISM_36_Pixels_Still.jpg (1920x1080) [959.9 KB] || XRISM_36_Pixels_Still_searchweb.png (320x180) [94.7 KB] || XRISM_36_Pixels_Still_thm.png (80x40) [7.0 KB] || 14463_XRISM_36Pixels_Good.mp4 (1920x1080) [148.9 MB] || 14463_XRISM_36Pixels_Best.mp4 (1920x1080) [514.8 MB] || 14463_XRISM_36Pixels_Captions.en_US.srt [4.6 KB] || 14463_XRISM_36Pixels_Captions.en_US.vtt [4.4 KB] || 14463_XRISM_36Pixels_ProRes_1920x1080_2997.mov (1920x1080) [2.4 GB] ||

XRISM’s Resolve instrument captured data from supernova remnant N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud to create the most detailed X-ray spectrum of the object ever made. The spectrum reveals peaks associated with silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium, and iron. Inset at right is an image of N132D captured by XRISM’s Xtend instrument.Credit: JAXA/NASA/XRISM Resolve and Xtend || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum.jpg (3840x2395) [1.0 MB] || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum_searchweb.png (320x180) [45.7 KB] || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum_thm.png (80x40) [4.7 KB] ||

Watch this video to learn more about XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission), a collaboration between JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and NASA.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic Credits: Universal Production MusicLights On by Hugh Robert Edwin Wilkinson Dreams by Jez Fox and Rohan JonesChanging Tide by Rob ManningWandering Imagination by Joel GoodmanIn Unison by Samuel Sim || YTframe_XRISM_Exploring_XrayCosmos.jpg (1280x720) [668.5 KB] || YTframe_XRISM_Exploring_XrayCosmos_searchweb.png (320x180) [100.3 KB] || YTframe_XRISM_Exploring_XrayCosmos_thm.png (80x40) [7.6 KB] || XRISM_Exploring_the_Hidden_Xray_Cosmos.en_US_FR.en_US.srt [7.8 KB] || XRISM_Exploring_the_Hidden_Xray_Cosmos.en_US_FR.en_US.vtt [7.4 KB] || XRISM_Exploring_the_Hidden_Xray_Cosmos.webm (3840x2160) [107.8 MB] || XRISM_Exploring_the_Hidden_Xray_Cosmos.mp4 (3840x2160) [3.4 GB] || XRISM_Exploring_the_Hidden_Xray_Cosmos.mov (3840x2160) [21.6 GB] ||

Video producer Sophia Roberts explains the basic principles behind spectroscopy, the science of reading light to determine the size, distance, spin and chemical composition of distant objects in space. Complete transcript available.Music Credits:Universal Production MusicOxygenate the Idea – by Amon Turner, Banksman, Eben StoneJungle Bounce – by Siddharth NadkarniSilent Patient – by Paul Reeves Background Story - by Peter LarsenData Dynamism – by Florian Moenks and Aron Wright Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel. || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Thumbnail.jpg (3840x2160) [2.2 MB] || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Thumbnail_searchweb.png (320x180) [75.1 KB] || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Thumbnail_thm.png (80x40) [6.3 KB] || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Final_1080.mp4 (1920x1080) [412.9 MB] || SpectroscopyExplainedAdjustedCaptions.en_US.srt [11.1 KB] || SpectroscopyExplainedAdjustedCaptions.en_US.vtt [10.5 KB] || Spectroscopy_Explained.webm (3840x2160) [125.6 MB] || Spectroscopy_Explained.mp4 (3840x2160) [1.1 GB] || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Final_Best_4k.mp4 (3840x2160) [2.5 GB] || Spectroscopy,_Explained_Final_ProRes.mov (3840x2160) [43.3 GB] ||

Explore the temperatures of the cosmos, from absolute zero to the hottest temperatures yet achieved, with this infographic. Targets for the XRISM mission include supernova remnants, binary systems with stellar-mass black holes, galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, and vast clusters of galaxies.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scott WiessingerMachine-readable PDF copy || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_small.jpg (1383x2048) [1.3 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Full.png (5530x8192) [60.5 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Full.jpg (5530x8192) [10.3 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_8bit.png (5530x8192) [24.5 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Half.png (2765x4096) [7.0 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Half.jpg (2765x4096) [4.7 MB] ||

XRISM’s Resolve instrument captured data from supernova remnant N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud to create the most detailed X-ray spectrum of the object ever made. The spectrum reveals peaks associated with silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium, and iron. Inset at right is an image of N132D captured by XRISM’s Xtend instrument.Credit: JAXA/NASA/XRISM Resolve and Xtend || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum.jpg (3840x2395) [1.0 MB] || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum_searchweb.png (320x180) [45.7 KB] || Resolve_N132D_Spectrum_thm.png (80x40) [4.7 KB] ||

Explore the temperatures of the cosmos, from absolute zero to the hottest temperatures yet achieved, with this infographic. Targets for the XRISM mission include supernova remnants, binary systems with stellar-mass black holes, galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, and vast clusters of galaxies.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scott WiessingerMachine-readable PDF copy || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_small.jpg (1383x2048) [1.3 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Full.png (5530x8192) [60.5 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Full.jpg (5530x8192) [10.3 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_8bit.png (5530x8192) [24.5 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Half.png (2765x4096) [7.0 MB] || Cosmic_Temperatures_Infographic_Final_Half.jpg (2765x4096) [4.7 MB] ||

The XRISM spacecraft during acoustic testing at JAXA's Tsukuba Space Center in December 2022. These and other tests confirm that the spacecraft can withstand the severe vibrations and sounds of its rocket launch.Credit: JAXA || XRISM_Acoustic_12_23_22.jpg (2832x4240) [6.9 MB] ||

XRISM turntable animations, available both as 4K/30 and 60 fps movies and as frames. The exposed tank behind the truss structure on the side opposite the solar panels houses the Resolve instrument.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_4444ProRes.00001_print.jpg (1024x576) [56.9 KB] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_4444ProRes.00001_searchweb.png (180x320) [21.2 KB] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_4444ProRes.00001_thm.png (80x40) [2.3 KB] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_h264.mov (1920x1080) [25.3 MB] || XRISM_360_4k_60fps_h264.mov (1920x1080) [112.2 MB] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps (3840x2160) [0 Item(s)] || XRISM_360_4k_60fps (3840x2160) [0 Item(s)] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_4444ProRes.webm [0 bytes] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_h264.mp4 (3840x2160) [24.7 MB] || XRISM_360_4k_60fps_h264.mp4 (3840x2160) [73.8 MB] || XRISM_360_4k_30fps_4444ProRes.mov (3840x2160) [1.7 GB] || XRISM_360_4k_60fps_4444ProRes.mov (3840x2160) [10.0 GB] ||

This animation illustrates how the microcalorimeter array at the heart of XRISM's revolutionary Resolve soft X-ray spectrometer works. X-ray light collected by a telescope strikes the detector. Each photon heats the material by an amount directly proportional to its energy. The instrument, which is cooled to 50 millikelvins, just above absolute zero, detects this minute temperature change.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL_print.jpg (1024x576) [64.0 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL.jpg (3840x2160) [716.3 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL_searchweb.png (320x180) [55.3 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL_thm.png (80x40) [5.5 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL_web.png (320x180) [55.3 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter-STILL.tiff (3840x2160) [63.3 MB] || XRISM_Calorimeter_Simple_ProRes_3840x2160_60.mov (3840x2160) [1.8 GB] || 3840x2160_16x9_60p (3840x2160) [64.0 KB] || XRISM_Calorimeter_Simple-H264_Best_3840x2160_5994.mov (3840x2160) [448.6 MB] || XRISM_Calorimeter_Simple-H264_Good_3840x2160_2997.mov (3840x2160) [27.1 MB] || XRISM_Calorimeter_Simple_ProRes_3840x2160_60.webm (3840x2160) [4.9 MB] ||

XRISM team members pose with the XRISM Calorimeter Spectrometer Insert in a NASA Goddard clean room. From left to right, they are Bryan James, Mike Sampson, Tomomi Watanabe, Pete Barfknecht, Scott Porter, and Sinclair Douglas.Credit: Larry Gilbert/NASA || GSFC_20191101__2020-2568_07.jpg (3000x1995) [3.6 MB] || GSFC_20191101__2020-2568_07_searchweb.png (320x180) [111.9 KB] || GSFC_20191101__2020-2568_07_thm.png (80x40) [7.7 KB] ||

XRISM team member Yang Soong, a researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park, displays completed mirror elements for an X-ray Mirror Assembly developed for the JAXA/NASA mission. Credit: Taylor Mickal/NASA || GSFC_20190619_XRISM_XMA_Soong_06.jpg (6000x4000) [12.7 MB] ||

Team members Lawrence Lozipone of Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. and Yang Soong, a researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park, work with flight mirrors for the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM). Nested aluminum mirror segments – 1,624 of them for each X-ray Mirror Assembly – focus the incoming X-rays for the satellite's science instruments. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center || XRISM_Cleanroom_B-roll_1080Still.jpg (1920x1080) [727.5 KB] || XRISM_Cleanroom_B-roll_ProRes_1920x1080_30.mov (1920x1080) [7.0 GB] || XRISM_Cleanroom_B-roll_1080.mp4 (1920x1080) [991.6 MB] || XRISM_Cleanroom_B-roll_ProRes_1920x1080_30.webm (1920x1080) [52.0 MB] ||