August 16, 2023
Countdown to XRISM
Waterloo scientists guide the decades-long journey for the XRISM astronomy satellite to demystify black hole feedback dynamics
In a quest to decipher the enigmatic power of black holes and the intricate role they play in galaxy growth and structure — Waterloo scientists are gearing up for a much-anticipated launch. The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with NASA and global partners, is poised for liftoff on August 26, 2023.
The mission aims to delve into the heart of supermassive black holes and their profound influence on the universe's evolution.
Brian McNamara, chair and professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and his team, have been an integral part of the XRISM mission since its precursor, the Hitomi satellite project. Launched on February 17, 2016, Hitomi experienced a series of technical issues shortly after reaching orbit. The satellite was later lost due to a malfunction in its altitude control system.
Despite losing Hitomi after just five weeks, the Hitomi team, of which McNamara was a key member, was able to gather enough data to produce several high-impact research papers published in Nature, The Astrophysical Journal, and other notable publications. Deemed a top priority for the insightful data it could gather, JAXA and NASA patched together funding to develop and launch a replacement for Hitomi, the new and improved XRISM satellite.
Central to the XRISM mission is an advanced telescope equipped to detect X-rays emitted by celestial bodies. These high-energy X-rays offer insights into the behavior of superheated gases enveloping supermassive black holes, galaxies and galaxy clusters.
"XRISM has a remarkably sensitive spectrometer, and it allows us to see the spectral lines emerging from electronic transitions, indicating elements like iron, oxygen, nickel and manganese," McNamara explains. These spectral lines function as cosmic fingerprints, revealing vital information about matter and gas composition and origin, temperatures and other useful scientific indicators.
Over the years, McNamara has been a driving force behind understanding cosmic quandaries, with a particular emphasis on black holes.
A pivotal objective of the mission is to decipher the intricate connection between black holes and the growth of galaxies. "What we've learned over the last 20 years, is that we now know supermassive black holes control the destiny of galaxies,” McNamara says.
The energy unleashed during the black hole's accretion process heats up surrounding gases, influencing a galaxy’s star formation rate. McNamara hypothesizes that black holes strike a delicate balance between promoting and quenching star formation in cycles that oscillate over hundreds of millions of years. XRISM could help expound this theory.
Beyond unraveling the intricate dance of black holes and galaxies, the XRISM mission aims to tackle other perplexing cosmic riddles.
One puzzle is the abundance of chemical elements interspersed between galaxies and galaxy clusters. McNamara remarks, "There's more energy in the gas and more elements than you would expect, just from gravity alone. This is a long-standing problem. And those two problems have been hanging around for a long time." The mission's high-resolution spectrometer is positioned to delve into these mysteries, offering insights into the origins of these cosmic elements and energy.
Following its launch, the XRISM satellite will undergo rigorous testing and calibration to ensure its instruments are primed for action. The initial phase will focus on observations by the science team led by McNamara, targeting diverse assortment of celestial objects. As the mission unfolds, opportunities for guest observers worldwide will expand the scope of research endeavors.
McNamara’s enthusiasm for the mission's impact on astrophysics is unmistakable. “Black holes are remarkably efficient energy generators. And we think that those holes control the growth of giant galaxies. And that's the primary issue I've been working on for 20 years and it’s been a lot of fun,” he remarks.
With its distinctive capabilities, the instrument holds the potential for breakthroughs in our understanding of black holes and galaxies, and their intricate interplay in shaping the cosmos. McNamara’s unwavering commitment, coupled with collaborative efforts from global space agencies, promises to usher in an exciting era in astrophysics.
Banner photo credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab
