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NASA Marshall Astrophysicists, Former Astronauts Discuss Chandra X-ray Observatory for its 25th Anniversary

Astrophysicists Steven Ehlert, Jessica Gaskin, and astronauts Eileen Collins and Catherine Coleman answer questions at the Chandra 25th anniversary event at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
NASA/Jessica Gaskin

Astrophysicists Dr. Steven Ehlert and Dr. Jessica Gaskin of NASA Marshall joined retired NASA astronauts and U.S. Air Force colonels Eileen Collins and Catherine (Cady) Coleman at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) on the evening of Aug. 23, 2024, for an event to discuss the launch, operations, and science of the Chandra X-ray Observatory to a sold-out audience. The event included a planetarium show describing the development, launch, and science of Chandra followed by a Q&A session with Ehlert, Gaskin, Collins, and Coleman. Questions were solicited from the USSRC’s Intuitive Planetarium and seven other planetariums around the country. Included in the audience were Marshall experts on X-ray astronomy, Chandra engineers and managers, Senior Vice President for Economic Development in Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Lucia Cape, and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. NASA Marshall Center Director Joseph Pelfrey opened the event highlighting Marshall’s significant role in the Chandra mission and while mentioning Marshall’s upcoming 65th birthday, the hope for continued involvement and success.

NASA Marshall Joins Huntsville, Alabama to Celebrate “Legacy of the Invisible”

Scientists stand before an outdoor mural in Huntsville, Alabama.
NASA Marshall astrophysicists stand in front of the mural “No Straight Lines” in downtown Huntsville.

A celebratory event coined “Legacy of the Invisible” was held in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, to reveal “No Straight Lines” a mural by the local artist Float. The mural honors Huntsville’s extraordinary legacy of astrophysics research and breakthrough discoveries made possible by scientists and engineers from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. This event, which coincided with Chandra’s 25th anniversary, featured talks by Marshall Chief Scientist Renee Weber and astrophysicist Colleen Wilson-Hodge. The installation also features brass plaques highlighting previous astrophysics missions including the Apollo Telescope Mount, the BATSE Instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor on NASA’s Fermi Space Telescope, the HEAD Program, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, and the Science Research and Projects Division’s X-ray and Cryogenic Facility.

A photo of several silver plaques on a black brick wall.
Plaques celebrating NASA Marshall astrophysics missions accompany the “No Straight Lines” mural.
NASA/Katherine Chavis

Marshall Science on the Move

Former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins shared her enthusiasm for space exploration and the importance of Chandra’s scientific contributions to attendees of all ages throughout the event celebrating 25 years of the agency’s Chandra X-ray Observatory at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Intuitive Planetarium on Aug. 23.

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Conferences and Collaborations

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center hosted the Rossi Prize Recognition Dinner at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville on Sept. 18. The dinner was held to recognize the IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) team members honored with the Bruno Rossi Prize, a top prize in high-energy astronomy. From left, Martin Weisskopf, Rossi Prize awardee and NASA emeritus scientist, who served as the principal investigator for IXPE during its development, launch, and commissioning; Paolo Soffitta, Rossi Prize awardee, and the Italian Space Agency’s principal investigator for IXPE; Hashima Hasan, program scientist for IXPE at NASA Headquarters; Andrea Marinucci, IXPE team member and researcher with the Italian Space Agency; and Marshall Director Joseph Pelfrey, who provided welcome remarks at the dinner. "The Bruno Rossi Prize highlights how partnerships and teamwork can push the boundaries of scientific knowledge," Pelfrey said. "The (IXPE) mission, a groundbreaking collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency, represents over 30 years of dedicated effort and stands as a testament to the innovative work of a truly multinational team."

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