XMM-Newton 25th Anniversary
10 December 2024

Artist impression of the XMM-Newton satellite over a starry sky and the number 25

XMM-Newton celebrates 25 years of breakthroughs

The 25th anniversary of the XMM-Newton satellite's orbital deployment is being commemorated today. XMM-Newton is one of the most successful X-ray telescopes ever launched, with over 8,000 papers published and more than one million detections of X-ray sources:
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/XMM-Newton/XMM-Newton_celebrates_25_years_of_breakthroughs.

All instruments and the spacecraft are in optimal condition and will continue to provide cutting-edge data for many more years to come.

Throughout its operational lifetime, XMM-Newton has undergone significant evolutionary and improvement processes. It is currently in an optimal position to address some of the most pivotal questions in astrophysics. XMM-Newton participates in joint programmes with ten other facilities across all wavelengths, as well as making significant contributions to multi-messenger observations.

The future of XMM-Newton is promising, thanks to its extensive user community, which includes over 1,500 observers and ensures data for 4,200 scientists involved in publishing refereed papers annually.

We would like to express our gratitude to XMM-Newton.

If you want to give your greetings to XMM-Newton, share your memories and even more important, your future plans, wishes and expectations for the next years, feel free to sign this digital card:
https://www.groupgreeting.com/sign/2f085e8d5f87113

Find below a selection of postage stamp with XMM-Newton, providing lasting evidence of XMM-Newton's popularity:
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/stamp-gallery

A list of published papers summarizing 25 years of XMM-Newton related activities follows: