Full Form of HXD

What is HXD?

The Hard X-ray Detector (HXD) is one of the five scientific payloads on India's Astrosat satellite, the country's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory launched in 2015. Designed to operate in the 10–100 keV energy band, the HXD uses a combination of inorganic scintillation crystals and photomultiplier tubes to detect and measure hard X-rays from celestial sources such as black holes, neutron stars, supernova remnants, and active galactic nuclei. Its thick, well-shielded detector assembly enables high-sensitivity observations with low background noise, making it particularly effective for studying rapid X-ray variability and spectral features. The instrument was developed by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), reflecting India's growing capability in space-based astronomy. The HXD complements Astrosat's other instruments like the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC), together covering a broad energy range from soft to hard X-rays. Data from the HXD is used for time-resolved spectroscopy, timing studies, and monitoring of transient phenomena. For students preparing for ISRO, IIT-JAM, or CSIR-UGC NET in physics or astronomy, understanding the HXD and its role in Astrosat is pertinent because it demonstrates indigenous instrument development and real-world application of X-ray detection principles.

HXD का फुल फॉर्म

Example

Astronomers used the HXD onboard Astrosat to detect high-energy pulsations from the accreting neutron star GX 301–2 during its 2018 outburst.

HXD — frequently asked questions

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