Chandra

Chandra (or Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility: AXAF) is a space telescope that has been in orbit around the earth since 1999, and which records X-rays from the universe. Chandra has 4 pairs of mirrors giving an angular resolution of 0.5 seconds of arc. Its mirrors are composed of iridium-coated parabolic and hyperbolic surfaces.

Detecting X-rays makes it possible to identify black holes and other celestial objects that are difficult to detect using other terrestrial or space telescopes. Researchers also hope that Chandra will help them to learn more about the distribution of energy in the universe.