LOFT - a Large Observatory For x-ray Timing

Understand

The high time resolution observations of the X-ray sky hold the key to a number of diagnostics of fundamental physics, some of which are unaccessible to other types of investigations, such as those based on imaging and spectroscopy.

• Revealing strong gravitational field effects, measuring the mass and spin of black holes and the equation of state of ultradense matter are among the goals of such observations.
• At present prospects for future, non-focused X-ray timing experiments following the exciting age of RXTE/PCA are uncertain.
• Technological limitations are unavoidably faced in the conception and development of experiments with effective area of several square meters, as needed in order to meet the scientific requirements.