title: Invited review article: The Chandra X-ray Observatory.
abstract: The Chandra X-ray Observatory is an orbiting x-ray telescope facility. It is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's four "Great Observatories" that collectively have carried out astronomical observations covering the infrared through gamma-ray portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Chandra is used by astronomers world-wide to acquire imaging and spectroscopic data over a nominal 0.1-10 keV (124-1.24 Å) range. We describe the three major parts of the observatory: the telescope, the spacecraft systems, and the science instruments. This article will emphasize features of the design and development driven by some of the experimental considerations unique to x-ray astronomy. We will update the on-orbit performance and present examples of the scientific highlights.
authors.affiliation: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schwartz