Station Science 101: Astrophysics on the ISS

The International Space Station’s suite of specialized instruments scans into the galaxy and beyond-- revealing fundamental insights about black holes, dark matter, and the very composition of our universe. Learn more: http://go.nasa.gov/4gZICGC

What is said in the film

Orbiting 250 miles above Earth the International Space Station is helping researchers peer into space in ways they can’t from the ground. From this unique vantage point, the station’s suite of specialized instruments scans into the galaxy, revealing fundamental insights about black holes, dark matter, and the very composition of our universe. One key instrument has been NICER, an X-ray telescope that has studied neutron stars, remnants of massive stars that exploded as supernova. These stars are so incredibly dense that scientists can’t recreate their conditions in Earth-based labs so NICER has provided crucial data we can’t get otherwise. NICER has captured sudden X-ray bursts and mapped “hot spots” on pulsars.

Hot spots produce flashes of light from spinning neutron stars. These flashes can be used as a distant navigational system for deep space missions. NICER’s observations have not only produced crucial astrophysics data, but its X-ray technology could also advance medical care on Earth. A small efficient X-ray source developed to test NICER could make CT scanners more accessible to more people. NICER’s discoveries have been enhanced through its automated network connection with JAXA’s MAXI telescope which scans 95% of the X-ray sky during the station’s orbit.

This rapid response system proved invaluable in 2018 when MAXI detected a previously unknown black hole and alerted NICER in minutes. NICER’s immediate observations provided new insights into how these phenomena transform nearby material. The space station also hosts the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer or AMS-02, searching for antimatter - matter’s mysterious opposite. And the invisible dark matter, which we can only detect through its gravitational effects on galaxies. The study of Dark Matter, and the other various substances that make up the universe could explain how galaxies formed and stay together.

JAXA’s CALET complements this research by tracking cosmic rays – powerful particles from space that can damage satellites and pose risks to astronauts. By studying these particles, scientists can better protect our space technology and future space explorers, while also searching for signs of dark matter. The data helps us understand both the fundamental nature of our universe and how to safely explore it. Together, these unique instruments aboard the International Space Station are expanding our view of the universe while pioneering advances that bring practical benefits to humanity.

Where this page came from

This page was imported from NASA. NASA material is generally not copyrighted and is in the public domain.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.