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China's Einstein Probe scans the X-ray sky with lobster-eye optics

Original: China's Einstein Probe satellite uses "lobster eye" optics to provide a unique, wide-field look at the x-ray sky. If som

China's Einstein Probe satellite is drawing attention for its unusual wide-field view of the X-ray universe. The spacecraft uses 'lobster eye' optics, a design inspired by how lobsters' eyes reflect light, allowing it to monitor a large swath of the sky at once. That means any sudden, violent X-ray event, such as a supernova or a feeding black hole, is likely to be caught quickly, giving astronomers worldwide rapid alerts to follow up with telescopes.

Why now: The probe's novel lobster-eye optics and its ability to catch sudden cosmic X-ray events make it a current point of interest in space science

Einstein ProbeChinaChinese Academy of Sciences

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• China's Einstein Probe satellite uses "lobster eye" optics to provide a unique, wide-field look at the x-ray sky. If something goes bump in the night (in x-rays!), Einstein will see it. https:// ep.bao.ac.cn/leia/ # space # science # tech · coreyspowell · 13

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