Observations: AstronomyCast X-Ray Astronomy

X-ray astronomy is an observational branch of astronomy which deals with the study of X-ray observation and detection from astronomical objects. X-ray radiation is mostly absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere; therefore, many of the instruments used to measure X-rays are sent up through the atmosphere on balloons, sounding rockets, and satellites. Much of the rays are picked up from celestial objects that emit high temperature gases. The first X-ray source to be identified was from the constellation Scorpius and was called Scorpius X-1. It is now known that such X-ray sources as Sco X-1 are compact stars, such as neutron stars or black holes. Material falling into a black hole may emit X-rays, but the black hole does not. The main energy source for the X-ray emission is gravity.