XRISM Archives

Red, green and blue represent Chandra X-ray images of O- (0.6–0.85 keV), Si- (1.76–1.94 keV) and Fe-enhanced (6.54–6.92 keV) regions, respectively. The white grids indicate the fields of view of our two-pointing observations with XRISM/Resolve, which has a 6 × 6 pixel array: a pixel at a corner is only used for calibration. Pixels we selected for our spectral analysis are highlighted in yellow. In the south-east (SE) and north (N) regions, we examined the spectrum of each pixel and selected those exhibiting large equivalent widths of K emission; the spatial distribution of these pixels closely matches that of the O and Si emission lines. In contrast, the west (W) region exhibits weak O line intensity, and the K emission line in its spectrum is faint (Fig. 2).-- Nature

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

Astrochemistry: Where The Elements Come From

by Keith CowingDecember 4, 2025December 4, 2025

“Why are we here?” is humanity’s most fundamental and persistent question. Tracing the origins of the elements is a direct attempt to answer this at its deepest level. We know […]

This composite shows a section of the interstellar medium scientists X-rayed for sulfur using the Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission). X-ray binary GX 340+0 is the inside the red circle drawn in the center. The composite contains a blend of imagery in X-rays (represented in deep blue), infrared, and light. -- NASA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

Astrochemistry: XRISM Satellite Measures Sulfur – An Essential Life Component

by Keith CowingJuly 23, 2025July 23, 2025

An international team of scientists have provided an unprecedented tally of elemental sulfur spread between the stars using data from the Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) spacecraft.

X-ray Imaging Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM)

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

XRISM Insights For Interstellar Sulfur

by Keith CowingJune 13, 2025June 12, 2025

The X-ray Imaging Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) provides the best spectral resolution with which to study Sulfur (S) K-shell photoabsorption features from the interstellar medium (ISM).