NASA Launches Satellite to Study Black Holes
NASA launched its Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the early hours of December 9.
The IXPE, which was developed in a joint effort with the Italian Space Agency, is NASA’s first satellite dedicated to measuring the polarization of X-rays from supernova remnants, black holes and other high-energy objects.
Polarization is a property of light that holds clues to the environment from which the light originates, NASA said.
This drone footage, posted by @mikecolestweets shows the launch from the air above Ormond Beach, Florida. “It was worth getting out of bed to experience,” he said. Credit: @mikecolestweets via Storyful