WCA’s Brian McNamara's Perseus Cluster early science data features in the release
On March 4th, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) had completed its commissioning period as planned and had transitioned to the nominal phase of observations.
A spectrum, taken as part of early science observation data, was released with the announcement. The X-ray spectrum of the Perseus Galaxy Cluster, taken by the Resolve instrument onboard XRISM, is part of early science observation data for a project co-led by Brian McNamara (Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics, University of Waterloo Physics and Astronomy Department Chair) and Irina Zhuravleva (University of Chicago).
The figure above shows the X-ray spectrum of the Perseus cluster obtained with XRISM’s onboard soft X- ray spectrometer (Resolve). The background image is a composite image of X-ray, visible light, and radio near the observation area. The galaxy is NGC 1275 and is located at the center of the Perseus cluster. The inset in the upper right corner shows a spectrum from 6 keV to 7 keV. (Credit: JAXA/NASA/Chandra X-ray Center/Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge, UK/A.Fabian et al./NRAO/VLA/G. Taylor/ESA/Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA) /Univ. of Cambridge). High-res version.
XRISM is now conducting an initial calibration and performance verification operation before starting astronomical observations based on proposals from global researchers. Early science data is now accessible on the XRISM researchers’ website. Please see the JAXA Press release for full details of the early science data release.