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X-Ray

The X-Ray Science Interest Group (XR SIG) serves as an active communication forum for X-Ray astrophysics. XR SIG is open to the scientific community.

About XR SIG

Supporting Mission Studies and Concept Development for Future X-Ray Observatories

The X-Ray Science Interest Group (XR SIG) will provide quantitative metrics and assessments to NASA with regard to future X-Ray observatories.

XR SIG will track and analyze evolving science goals and requirements in X-Ray astronomy, especially as current hot topics evolve. XR SIG will also analyze technology development and prioritization plans and assist the Physics of the Cosmos Program Analysis Group in determining technology needs.

The X-Ray Sky about Supporting Mission Studies and Concept Development for Future X-Ray Observatories
Unlabeled version of above.Credits: NASA/NICER
This image of the whole sky shows 22 months of X-ray data recorded by NASA’s Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) payload aboard the International Space Station during its nighttime slews between targets. NICER frequently observes targets best suited to its core mission (“mass-radius” pulsars) and those whose regular pulses are ideal for the Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) experiment. One day they could form the basis of a GPS-like system for navigating the solar system.
Credits: NASA/NICER

Subscribe to the XR SIG Email List

To join the list, send an email to XRSAG-join@lists.nasa.gov with Subject="join"

To unsubscribe, Send an email to XRSAG-leave@lists.nasa.gov with Subject="leave"

Your email address will be used only for the purpose of subscription to the selected email distribution list. For further information, read the NASA Web Privacy Policy.

X-Ray SIG Chairs

Current Chairs

NameInstitutionTerm
David PooleyTrinity University2021 –
Chien-Ting ChenUSRA / MSFC2023 –
Breanna BinderCal Poly Pomona
Steven EhlertMSFC
Scott RandallCfA
Fabio PacucciCfA

Former Chairs

Former chairs of the X-Ray Science Interest Group (XR SIG) who served on the PhysPAG Executive Committee from 2012 through 2024.

NameInstitutionSIGTerm
Brian GrefenstetteCaltechXR SIG / HWO2024
Kristin MadsenUMBC / GSFCXR SIG2021 – 2024
Grant TremblaySmithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryXR SIG2019 – 2023
Jillian BellovaryQueensborough Community CollegeGW SIG / XR SIG2019 – 2022
Ryan HickoxDartmouth CollegeXR SIG2018 – 2022
John TomsickUC BerkeleyGR SIG / XR SIG2016 – 2019
Mark BautzMITXR SIG2014 – 2018
Ralph KraftSAOXR SIG2016 – 2018
Jay BookbinderSAOXR SIG2012 – 2016
John NousekPenn State UniversityXR SIG2013–2016

News & Events

XR SIG Seminar, 7 August 2026

A TDAMM Mission Concept Offered by the X-ray Timing Science Analysis Group: the Dynamic Extreme Universe in X-rays (DEUS-X) Machine

Jul 20, 2026
XR SIG Seminar, 24 July 2026

Hybrid CMOS Detectors. Speaker: Abe Falcone, Penn State

Jul 20, 2026
XR SIG Seminar, 10 July 2026

High Angular Resolution X-ray Imager (Hi-ReX) SAG Report on Extragalactic and Extreme Gravity Science.Speaker: Kimberly Weaver, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Jul 10, 2026
XR SIG Seminar, 1 May 2026

Developing CMOS Detectors for Use in Future X-ray Astrophysics Missions. Speakers: Sarah Heine and Eric D. Miller

May 1, 2026
XR SIG Meeting, 27 April 2026

Mission Concepts for the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) Initiative. 1:00pm ET

Apr 27, 2026
APS Global Physics Summit, March-April 2026

Physics of the Cosmos at the APS Global Physics Summit 2026. The American Physical Society Joint March Meeting and April Meeting

Mar 16, 2026

X-Ray SIG Documents

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This cropped horizontal image has layers of semi-opaque rusty red colored gas and dust that starts at the bottom right and goes toward the top left. There are three prominent pillars rising toward the top left. The left pillar is the largest and widest. The peaks of the second and third pillars are set off in darker shades of brown and have red outlines.