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What's New

  • IXPE DU2 Anomaly (26 Jun 2025)
    IXPE's Detector Unit 2 (DU2) is operating in an anomalous but stable and functional state since 14 April 2025. The detector response has changed and the data processing is being adjusted. The spectral response has been corrected. The response for polarimetry and background filtering are being recalibrated. The data for observations after 10 May 2025 are being made available with DU2 event data removed. After the processing adjustments are completed and tested, new data sets will be released to HEASARC with DU2 included.
  • Updates to IXPE tools (31 Mar 2025)
    HEASoft 6.35 has been released and contains updates to the IXPE software tools. Please see the release notes for more details. The HEASoft 6.35.1 patch release contains an update to the extractor tool that is important for IXPE users. Downloads are available from the HEASoft page. IXPE users are recommended to use the latest version of HEASoft for their analysis.
  • IXPE Caldb Updated (14 Mar 2025)
    The IXPE Caldb has been updated for the XRT (version 20241028) and the GPD (version 20250225). Please see the release notes for details. Downloads are available from the IXPE Calibration page. Users can also access the HEASARC IXPE caldb via remote access.
  • IXPE Quick Start Guide Updated (6 Mar 2025)
    The IXPE Quick Start guide has been updated and includes various changes, including demonstrating the use of the ixpepolarization tool.
  • IXPE on the cover of Galaxies (21 Oct 2024)
    IXPE made the cover of the October 2024 edition of Galaxies with a paper on probing magnetic fields in young supernova remnants with IXPE by Pat Slane et al. The work explore how X-ray polarimetry using IXPE provides insights into magnetic field structures and particle acceleration mechanisms in young supernova remnants. This article belongs to a special issue of the journal titled "X-Ray Polarimetry: A New Era Begins with the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer"
  • Updates to IXPE tools (04 Sep 2024)
    HEASoft 6.34 has been released and contains updates to the IXPE software tools. This release also includes a new tool for flagging background events. Please see the release notes for more details. Downloads are available from the HEASoft page. IXPE users are recommended to use the latest version of HEASoft for their analysis.
  • IXPE Caldb Updated (20 Aug 2024)
    The IXPE Caldb has been updated for the XRT (version 20240726). Please see the release notes for details. Downloads are available from the IXPE Calibration page. Users can also access the HEASARC IXPE caldb via remote access.
  • IXPE Quick Start Guide Updated (12 Mar 2024)
    The IXPE Quick Start guide has been updated to include the use of the ixpecalcarf tool to generate observation specific response files.
  • IXPE Caldb Updated (28 Feb 2024)
    The IXPE Caldb has been updated for the XRT (version 20231201) and the GPD (version 20240125). Please see the release notes for details. Downloads are available from the IXPE Calibration page. Users can also access the HEASARC IXPE caldb via remote access.
  • IXPE Viewing Tool Updated (28 Feb 2024)
    The Sun angle constraint has been updated in the Viewing tool for the IXPE mission.
  • IXPE Caldb Updated (16 Jun 2023)
    The IXPE Caldb has been updated for the XRT (version 20230526) and the GPD (version 20230526). Please see the 20230526 release notes for details. Downloads are available from the IXPE Calibration page. Users can also access the HEASARC IXPE caldb via remote access.
  • IXPE on the cover of Nature Astronomy (26 May 2023)
    IXPE made the cover of the May 2023 edition of Nature Astronomy with a polarized view of the Crab. The work by Bucciantini et al. provides insight into the magnetic field morphology and the generation of turbulence in this young supernova remnant system.
  • IXPE Caldb Updated (17 Nov 2022)
    The IXPE Caldb has been updated for the XRT (version 20221021) and the GPD (version 20221020). Downloads are available from the IXPE Calibration page. Users can also access the HEASARC caldb remotely.
  • A New Slant on Cas A (17 Nov 2022)
    IXPE image of magnetic fields in Cas A hits the HEASARC Picture of the Week
  • IXPE archive is open! (14 Mar 2022)
    The HEASARC has opened the IXPE data archive. Currently, Cas A and Cen X-3 datasets are available.
  • IXPE first light image of Cas A! (14 Feb 2022)
    IXPE has released its first light image of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A using data taken in January.
  • IXPE begins science operations. (13 Jan 2022)
    IXPE begins science operations with an observation of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A.
  • IXPE boom successfully deployed. (16 Dec 2021)
    The IXPE spacecraft successfully deployed, positioning the mirrors 13 feet (4 meters) away from the instruments and is now ready for commissioning.
  • IXPE launch! (9 Dec 2021)
    The IXPE spacecraft successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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