ESA title

The mission

XMM-Newton is studying X-ray sources across the Universe: looking deep into the centre of galaxies, studying stars at all stages of their live, investigating what happens in and around black holes, and following up on explosive events like gamma-ray bursts. XMM-Newton helps us explore how the Universe was formed and how matter behaves under the most extreme circumstances.

The launch

  • Launch: 10 December 1999
  • Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
  • Launch vehicle: Ariane 5
  • Orbit: 48-hour elliptical orbit around Earth, inclined at 40 degrees. Apogee altitude 115 000~92 000 km.
XMM-Newton

Latest

Giant black hole gobbling up doomed white dwarf star
Science & Exploration

XMM-Newton catches giant black hole’s X-ray oscillations

13/01/2025 4073 views 53 likes
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Science & Exploration

XMM-Newton celebrates 25 years of breakthroughs

10/12/2024 3189 views 64 likes
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A neutron star
Science & Exploration

Too young to be so cool: lessons from three neutron stars

20/06/2024 2589 views 27 likes
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Black hole winds from a galactic core
Science & Exploration

XMM-Newton spots a black hole throwing a tantrum

01/02/2024 4674 views 52 likes
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Science & Exploration

Brightest gamma-ray burst illuminates our galaxy as never b…

28/03/2023 15853 views 199 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

    Black hole winds from a galactic core

    01/02/2024 634 views 13 likes
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    Black hole winds from a galactic core
  • Science & Exploration

    Marvel at stunning echo of 800-year-old explosion

    26/03/2024 3397 views 61 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

    XMM-Newton captured dust rings from gamma-ray burst 221009A

    28/03/2023 1615 views 38 likes
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XMM-Newton overview