Harnessing the power of X-rays, Einstein Probe embarks on a celestial expedition to uncover the mysteries of the universe. Inspired by the remarkable eyes of lobsters, the telescope boasts an innovative design that mimics their unique ability to detect light at shallow angles. This ingenious approach grants Einstein Probe an extraordinary wide field of view, encompassing a vast expanse of the cosmos.
Unlike traditional X-ray telescopes that employ lenses or mirrors, Einstein Probe utilizes a unique Lobster-Eye X-ray Telescope (WXT). The WXT is composed of hundreds of thousands of tiny tubes arranged in a hexagonal pattern, akin to the eyes of a lobster. These tubes guide incoming X-rays towards detectors, allowing the telescope to capture a remarkably wide field of view.
This revolutionary design empowers Einstein Probe to survey the entire sky in X-rays in just three orbits. Its primary objective is to detect and study X-ray transients, fleeting astronomical events that range from stellar flares to the awakening of dormant black holes. These phenomena, often unpredictable and short-lived, provide valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the universe.
Einstein Probe’s capabilities extend beyond its wide field of view. It also carries a second telescope, the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT), which provides detailed observations of transients identified by the WXT. The FXT allows scientists to delve deeper into these enigmatic events, unraveling their properties and behavior.
Despite being in its testing phase, Einstein Probe has already demonstrated its exceptional capabilities. The telescope has detected its first X-ray transient, an event associated with a long gamma-ray burst produced by the destruction of a massive star. Since then, the WXT has discovered over 140 additional transients, including stellar flares and other elusive phenomena.
The scientific community eagerly anticipates the official commencement of Einstein Probe’s survey, scheduled for June 2023. The data collected during this comprehensive survey will provide a wealth of information for astronomers, deepening our understanding of transient events and shaping future space exploration endeavors.