XBSS: X-ray Background Survey Spectrometer (XBSS)
The objective of this investigation was to perform a spectral survey of the low energy diffuse X-ray background using the X-ray Background Survey Spectrometer (XBSS) on board the Space Station Freedom (SSF). XBSS obtains spectra of the X-ray diffuse background in the 11-24 A and 44-84/_ wavelength intervals over the entire sky with 15 ° spatial resolution. These X-rays are almost certainly from a very hot (= l06 K) component of the interstellar medium that is contained in regions occupying a large fraction of the interstellar volume near the Sun. Astrophysical plasmas near l06 K are rich in emission lines, and the relative strengths of these lines, besides providing information about the physical conditions of the emitting gas, also provide information about its history and heating mechanisms.
From X-ray Background Survey Spectrometer (XBSS): Final Report on NASA Contract NAS 8-38664
Investigators
- Dr. Wilton T. Sanders Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC)
Related Websites
Publications
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Sanders, W. T. and Paulos, R. J. X-ray Background Survey Spectrometer (XBSS): Final report on NASA contract NAS 8-38664. Madison, WI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC), 1996. 15p., attachments. UW SSEC Publication No.96.08.S1.
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Sanders, W. T.; Boldt, E. A.; Brickhouse, N. S.; Cox, D. P.; Edgar, R. J.; Jahoda, K.; Kallman, T.; Kelley, R. L.; Liedahl, D. A.; McCammon, D.; Mushotzky, R. F.; Paulos, R. J.; Porter, F. S.; Raymond, J. C.; Shelton, R. L.; Smith, R. K.; Snowden, S. L.; Stahle, C. K.; Szymkowiak, A. E., and White, N. E. XBSS: The X-ray Background Spectroscopic Survey. Astronomische Nachrichten v.319, no.1, 1998, pp151. Reprint #4567.
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Sanders, W. T.; Cox, D. P.; McCammon, D.; Paulos, R. J.; Brickhouse, N. S.; Edgar, R. J.; Raymond, J. C.; Liedahl, D. A.; Boldt, E. A.; Jahoda, K.; Kallman, T.; Kelley, R. L.; Mushotzky, R. F.; Porter, F. S.; Shelton, R. L.; Smith, R. K.; Snowden, S. L.; Stohle, C. K.; Szymkowiak, A. E., and White, N. E. XBSS – The X-ray Background Spectroscopic Survey. EUV, X-ray, and Gamma-ray Instrumentation for Astronomy VIII, San Diego, CA, 30 July-1 August 1997. Proceedings. Bellingham, WA, SPIE-International Society for Optical Engineering, 1997, pp636-647. Reprint #4787.
Images
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XBSS placement on Space Station Freedom, drawing
NASA
