Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
High-Resolution X-ray Observations of the Orion Nebula
Abstract:
Observations of the Trapezium region in the Orion Nebula obtained with the high-resolution x-ray imaging instrument on board the Einstein Observatory reveal at least 58 sources of x-ray emission. All but two of the sources can be identified with visible stars. The strongest x-ray source is the star Theta(1)C, which excites the emission nebula. Its x-ray luminosity is 6 x 10(32) ergs per second. The rest of the x-ray sources may be identified with stars of all spectral types. Strong x-ray emission is not observed from members of the infrared cluster embedded within the Orion molecular cloud.
Related Concept Videos
X-ray Imaging
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
Emission Spectra
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
