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X-ray Astronomy at JAXA Japan's Leading-Edge X-ray Astronomy: Unveiling the Mysteries of a Dynamic Universe

HAKUCHO 2.21.1979 GINGA 2.5.1987 SUZAKU 7.4.2005
TENMA 2.20.1983 ASUKA 1993.2.20 SUZAKU 7.10.2005
Index
1. What Is X-ray Astronomy?
2. Japan's Leading-Edge X-ray Astronomy
3. ASTRO-EII Launched into Space - Summer 2005
Two lovers, Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), who are separated by the Milky Way across the summer night sky, are allowed a momentary rendezvous only one night a year. On July 7, many festivals to celebrate their meeting occur across Japan. The three days after their meeting in 2005, an artificial satellite was launched into space: ASTRO-EII - Japan's cutting-edge X-ray astronomy satellite. After it successfully entered its intended orbit, ASTRO-EII was re-named SUZAKU. We can see countless stars and constellations, either through telescopes or with our own eyes. However, looking up at the sky with an X-ray telescope will reveal to us many more secrets of the universe. Many X-ray satellites have been launched around the world to investigate the mysteries of the universe. Over the last 20 years, Japan has launched HAKUCHO, TENMA, GINGA and ASCA. Though they are not large satellites, they all have excellent eyes. Now, with the launch of SUZAKU, Japan is leading the world in astronomical observation. Alongside America's Chandra and Europe's XMM-Newton, SUZAKU is expected to be one of the three big stars of X-ray astronomy. As you looking up at the summer constellations tonight, give some thought to the world of X-ray astronomy.