3rd International X-ray Astronomy School to Be Held at Wallops Flight Facility

Since the launches of NASA's Chandra and ESA's XMM-Newton, X-ray astronomy is becoming a growing topic of research in astrophysics. Most astronomers, however, have never actually analyzed X-ray data and do not have a complete understanding of the aspects involved.

The X-ray Astronomy School was initiated to assist students in understanding more about the functions and challenges involved in this aspect of astronomy, as well as the techniques used in this field.

Co-organizer of the school Ilana Harrus says that this school was created three years ago to allow students to learn X-ray astronomy and its techniques. There are major differences between X-ray and what is done in optical or radio astronomy. "It is important that the next generation of astronomers be prepared for all of the aspects (all the wavelengths) of modern astronomy," Harrus said.

In previous years, the school was held at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., and Berkeley Springs, W.Va. This year's school will be held at the Wallops Flight Facility, May 12-16.

To allow for interaction between students and instructors, 45 students are accepted into the astronomy school. They are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Students come to the school from locations all over the world. In previous schools, students have come from Montana, San Diego, Wisconsin, and as far as Mexico, France and England. Students are typically those with post-doctoral positions or graduate students who are studying X-ray astronomy as well as doing work for their thesis.

Some of the subjects to be addressed in the X-ray astronomy school are: A review of science addressed in X-ray Astronomy, a review of X-ray production mechanisms, X-ray analysis, and a review of X-ray detectors with an emphasis on technologies used in currently working satellites and new X-ray technologies.

There are multiple speakers scheduled to lecture at the 3rd International X-ray Astronomy School. Speakers are scheduled to come from Goddard, the Chandra X-ray Center at the Harvard- Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass., and the astronomy department of Penn State University, State College, Pa.

Universities Space Research Association, NASA and the Chandra X-ray Observatory Center organize the X-ray Astronomy School.

For more information about the X-ray astronomy school, visit the school's website at http://xrayschool.gsfc.nasa.gov.