Chandra Summer 2025 Newsletter
Tara Gokas
Chandra Newsletter | Issue 36 — Summer 2025 |
 | In this issue: Highlights of Chandra X-ray Center activities supporting the astronomical community and the general public, including the Chandra25 Symposium and the most recent Chandra/CIAO Workshop at UMass Lowell. Other articles include a recap of recent public engagement events, instrument and calibration updates, a report on Cycle 27 Peer Review, recent results of the NHFP selection, and updates from the Director and from the Project Science team. |
 | Director’s Log Pat SlaneChandra X-ray Center director Pat Slane provides a recap of the past year and the outlook for the future, as well as a tribute to recent retirees. |
 | The Legacy of 25 Years of Chandra Amruta D. Jaodand & Dan SchwartzIn December, scientists from the world over converged at the Revere Hotel in downtown Boston to celebrate twenty-five years of Chandra. SOC co-chairs Amruta D. Jaodand and Dan Schwartz recap that exciting week, featuring awards and recognitions, reminiscences and looks forward, and talks and posters covering all of Chandra's wide contributions to astrophysics. Read Article |
 | CIAO in Lowell: X-rays, Data, and Lots of Learning and Fun! Antonella Fruscione, for the CIAO Workshop TeamCIAO workshops have been a hallmark of the mission, whether held in Cambridge or India. This year, thanks to a generous grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation, the team held a Chandra/CIAO workshop at UMass Lowell completely free of charge for attendees. Antonella Fruscione recaps the event, a pilot in a larger program to bring the workshop to under-resourced and underrepresented institutions across the United States. Read Article |
 | Sharing the Universe: Chandra Public Engagement and the 25th Anniversary Kimberly Arcand, Megan WatzkeThe Communications and Public Engagement team continues to share the excitement of Chandra science with a global audience. In this article, Kimberly Arcand and Megan Watzke recount some of the many ways the team spread Chandra science as part of our 25th Anniversary, from the National Mall to NASA+ and everywhere in between. Read Article |
 | Project Science Report Douglas Swartz (USRA/MSFC); Steven Ehlert & Steve O'Dell (NASA/MSFC)The Project Science team reports on recent highlights, including the start of the Chandra Legacy Program, new synergies in time domain astrophysics, and a touching recognition of former Project Scientist Martin Weisskopf. Read Article |
 | Calibration Update Larry DavidLarry David provides an update on the work of the Calibrations group, which has been ensuring accurate calibration products are available to account for changes in temperature and gain for both ACIS and HRC. Read Article |
 | ACIS Instrument Update Gregg Germain, for the ACIS TeamA lower perigee, a peaking solar cycle, and rising thermal limits for operation—the ACIS team has risen to these challenges and more! Gregg Germain reports for the ACIS team on updates to the operation and calibration of the ACIS instrument. Read Article |
 | HRC Update Gerrit Schellenberger, Ralph Kraft, Dan Patnaude, Tom Gauron, & Grant TremblayThe HRC has passed 3 megaseconds of observations since the 2023 return to science. The HRC team provides an update of what they and the instrument have been up to, including formal recognition from NASA for the anomaly recovery. Read Article |
 | Cycle 27 Peer Review Rodolfo Montez Jr. and the Chandra Director’s OfficeOver the spring and summer, the Cycle 27 peer review was held and recommended 14.6 Ms of observations. Rodolfo Montez Jr. and the Chandra Director's Office describe the results of this process, including comparisons to historical trends. Read Article |
 | Updates on the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Aneta SiemiginowskaAnother class of fellows has been selected for the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program. Science Lead Aneta Siemiginowska describes the state of the program, introduces the new fellows, and recaps the most recent symposium. Read Article |