ESA's XMM [X-ray Multi Mirror Observatory] was launched by Ariane 5 on December 9th 1999. The most sensitive X-ray satellite yet, it will carry three advanced x-ray telescopes that will look at millions of X-ray sources in the Universe. Each telescope bears 58 high-precision mirrors which reflect X-rays onto sensors giving XMM capacity for long, uninterrupted observations at very high levels of sensitivity.
This index provides background information on XMM technology, the construction of XMM, and its role within space science. It contains some highly-animated graphics, live pre-launch footage, and instructive commentary in English, in a series of 9 chapters arranged as follows:
AN OBSERVATORY IN SPACE: why we need XMM, what it will do, how it will work. [This chapter also found in XMM Campaign Video]
NEWS OF EXPLODED STARS - how a supernova is formed, and how XMM will study them. [This chapter also found in XMM Campaign Video]
WAYS OF LOOKING - a description of XMM' technology, and its process of observat

This index provides background information on XMM technology, the construction of XMM, and its role within space science. It contains some highly-animated graphics, live pre-launch footage, and instructive commentary in English, in a series of 9 chapters arranged as follows:
AN OBSERVATORY IN SPACE: why we need XMM, what it will do, how it will work. Includes XMM construction footage; various XMM graphics; animated graphics of the violent Universe (gravity pits, black holes, X-ray hot spots, exploding stars, atomoic particles raining on earth, vampire stars, gamma ray bursts); XMMi in orbit graphics. [This chapter also found in XMM Campaign Video]
NEWS OF EXPLODED STARS - how a supernova is formed, and how XMM will study them. Includes XMM in orbit graphics; graphics of supernova remnants. [This chapter also found in XMM Campaign Video]
WAYS OF LOOKING - a description of XMM' technology, and its process of observation. Includes dynamic technical XMM graphics; various graphics of X-ray sources in Universe.
GI