Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: This report summarizes potential studies of the Hi-ReX Science Analysis Group for an Ultra-High Angular Resolution X-ray Observatory. Many potential science cases are presented, spanning a range of astrophysical topics from solar system planets and exoplanets to supermassive black holes and cosmology. These cases demonstrate the value of X-ray imaging beyond current capabilities with an aim toward milli-arcsecond and micro-arcsecond angular scales. There is an imaging gap between the current capability of the best X-ray imaging telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, compared to that of instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum. Next-generation, ultra-high angular resolution X-ray imaging will close this gap and transform our understanding of the universe and fundamental physics.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Marshall, H. L., Weaver, K., Schattenburg, M., Binder, B., Günther, H. M., Wolk, S. J., Stassun, K. G., Gunderson, S. J., Pandey, R., Valencic, L., Draghis, P., Hare, J., Balakrishnan, M., Boztepe, T., Gandhi, P., Holland-Ashford, T., Maccarone, T., Reynolds, M., Sobolewska, M., Tanner, R., Cann, J., Chakraborty, P., Coleman, B., DiKerby, S., Gamble, R., Irwin, J., Maksym, P., McKaig, J., Perlman, E., Pooley, D., Randall, S., Russell, H., Sarkar, A., Turriziani, S., Wong, K. -W., Whalen, K., Haggard, D.
Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, California State Polytechnic University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins University, McGill University, Istanbul University, University of Southampton, Texas Tech University, The Ohio State University, Catholic University of America, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Michigan State University, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Alabama, Marshall Space Flight Center, Eureka Scientific, University of Nottingham, Universidad de Antofagasta, SUNY Brockport
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7166544801