The DXL (Diffuse X-ray emission from the Local galaxy) sounding rocket was launched from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 2012 to study the source of certain X-rays observed near Earth.
DXL’s data confirms that the two known sources of X-ray emission are the solar wind and the Local Hot Bubble – a theorised area of hot interstellar material that surrounds our solar system.
DXL also measured some high-energy X-rays that could not possibly come from the solar wind or the Local Hot Bubble.
This NASA-funded rocket to study the origin of X-rays in the universe has helped scientists reveal a mystery – an entire group of X-rays that don’t come from any known source.
