BLACK HOLES
Probing stationary spacetimes near black holes (BHs) to explore the effects of strong-field general relativity and measure the masses and spins of BHs.
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STROBE-XA Probe Mission Concept
to Study X-ray Timing and Spectroscopy
on Dynamical Timescales from Microseconds to Years -
STROBE-XStudying accretion flows through X-ray
reverberation mapping of black hole
accretion disks across all mass scales -
STROBE-XExploring cosmic chemical evolution
by measuring bulk metallicity
of ~100 high-redshift galaxy clusters -
STROBE-XFully determining the ultradense
matter equation of state by measuring
the neutron star mass-radius relation -
STROBE-XProbing stationary spacetimes near
black holes to explore the effects of
strong-field general relativity -
STROBE-XStudying accretion flows through X-ray
reverberation mapping of BH accretion
disks across all mass scales -
STROBE-XProbing stationary spacetimes near
black holes to measure
black hole masses and spins -
STROBE-XEnabling time-domain multi-messenger
astrophysics by continuously surveying
the dynamic X-ray sky
STROBE-X Mission Overview
STROBE-X is a probe-class observatory designed for X-ray timing and spectroscopy in the 0.2–30 keV band, with huge collecting area, high throughput, broad energy coverage, and excellent spectral and temporal resolution. It is optimized for the study of matter in the most extreme conditions found in the Universe and addresses several key science areas including:
ACCRETION DISKS
X-ray reverberation mapping of BH accretion flows across all mass scales, from stellar-mass BHs in our Galaxy to supermassive BHs in active galactic nuclei.
NEUTRON STARS
Fully determining the ultradense matter equation of state by measuring the neutron star (NS) mass-radius relation using >20 pulsars over an extended mass range.
GALAXY CLUSTERS
Exploring cosmic chemical evolution by measuring bulk metallicity of ~100 high-redshift (z > 2) galaxy clusters.
TIME-DOMAIN ASTROPHYSICS
Continuously surveying the dynamic X-ray sky with large duty cycle and high spectral and time resolution to characterize source behavior over a vast range of time scales.
Multi-messenger Astrophysics
Enabling multi-wavelength and multi-messenger studies through cross-correlation with high cadence surveys at other wavelengths and in gravitational waves and neutrinos
STROBE-X is a highly executable probe-class mission that is ready for construction in the 2020s. The concept study report is available here.
This mission is poised to deliver high-impact science in the 2030s that will address some of the highest priority science questions about the formation, evolution, and accretion processes of black holes, the nature of dense matter and gravity, and a wide range of cosmic explosions.