X-ray Detectors

The environment of space, where X-ray astronomy must take place due to absorption by the Earth's atmosphere, is a demanding one for X-ray detectors. Cosmic rays and charged particles are the primary problems, In particular, in a region called the South Atlantic Anomaly, the charged particle density is so high that most astronomical X-ray detectors have to be turned off as they pass through the region. Otherwise, they could be damaged or even destroyed.