X-ray images of Earth and cosmic X-ray background

These preliminary X-ray images were taken by Integral's JEM-X instrument in two separate slots of the Earth observation campaign, in late January (top row) and early February 2006 (bottom row).

The four images in each row correspond to different energy intervals. The plot shows the image of Earth against the diffuse cosmic X-ray background, as the JEM-X field of view sweeps across it (fixed stars would make stripes in this representation). The most remarkable thing to note is the bright spot visible at the two bottom left images, presumably indicating a northern auroral X-ray emission.