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Traveling Radiology Tech Jobs: 7 Reasons Why It’s Worth

In recent years, the medical field has seen more specialized roles. Among these, the role of radiology technicians has grown significantly.

What’s even more intriguing?

The advent of traveling radiology tech jobs. However, Imagine combining your passion for radiology with the love of travel. Sounds dreamy, right?

Let’s explore this exciting career avenue and see what it holds for enthusiastic individuals.

Traveling Radiology Tech Jobs: What’s the Hype?

Radiology is an essential cog in the wheel of medical diagnostics. But what’s so special about traveling radiology tech jobs?

Therefore, These roles combine the expertise of radiology with the thrill of traveling, offering techs a chance to explore diverse work environments and cultures.

Scope and Growth

Given the increasing reliance on radiology in diagnostics, the demand for competent radiology technicians is skyrocketing. Traveling radiology tech jobs have filled a critical gap by providing skilled professionals to needy areas.

Skills Required

Not just anyone can jump into the shoes of a traveling radiology tech. Moreover, It requires a unique blend of radiology expertise, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and an insatiable wanderlust.

Benefits of Opting for a Traveling Radiology Tech Job

If traveling and working in new environments tickles your fancy, you’re in for a treat. Here’s why:

1. Exposure to Diverse Work Environments

Traveling radiology tech jobs allow you to work in various settings – from state-of-the-art urban hospitals to remote clinics. This diversity not only enriches your experience but also broadens your professional network.

2. Competitive Pay and Perks

Often, traveling positions offer better compensation packages than their stationary counterparts. Housing allowances, travel reimbursements, and other perks make it financially attractive.

3. Personal Growth

Travel broadens the mind, they say. By immersing yourself in different cultures and environments, you develop a holistic view of the world, fostering personal growth and maturity.

4. Enhanced Job Flexibility

You’re not bound to a single location. However, If you crave change, these jobs offer the flexibility to move around and explore new places.

5. Opportunities for Specialization

Given the vastness of radiology, traveling can open doors to niche specializations, further advancing your career.

Challenges to Consider

Like any other job, traveling radiology tech jobs come with challenges. So, given below are some of the most common challenges to consider:

Adapting to New Work Cultures

Every hospital or clinic has its own set of protocols. Adapting quickly becomes a necessary skill.

Dealing with Loneliness

Being on the move can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation. Therefore, Finding ways to connect and establish a support system is essential.

Is This Career Path Right for You?

If the idea of new adventures excites you and you’re equipped with the necessary skills, a traveling radiology tech job could be your calling. However, weighing the pros and cons and deciding if this lifestyle aligns with your long-term goals is crucial.

What qualifications do I need for traveling radiology tech jobs?

You’ll need a degree in radiologic technology and relevant certifications. Plus, traveling roles often require additional soft skills like adaptability and strong communication.

How long are the typical assignments?

Assignments can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the location and the needs of the hiring facility.

Can I choose my assignments?

Yes, in most cases, agencies provide options, and you can select assignments based on your preference.

Is housing provided for traveling radiology techs?

Most agencies offer housing allowances or arrange accommodations for their techs.

Are there opportunities for permanent positions?

Absolutely! Many techs love a particular location and opt for permanent roles there.

How do I start my journey as a traveling radiology tech?

Begin by gaining experience as a radiology tech, then look for agencies specializing in traveling medical positions. They’ll guide you through the rest!

Traveling radiology tech jobs uniquely blend professional growth and personal adventure. Moreover, It could be your perfect career path if you have the skills and the wanderlust. Research, prepare, and dive into this exciting world of opportunities!

Maximizing Your Earnings: A Comprehensive Guide to Travel Radiology Tech Salary

Have you ever dreamt of a rewarding career that combines patient treatment and the excitement of exploring new places with a high-earning potential? Look no further than a career as a travel radiology tech! This dynamic profession offers a unique blend of clinical expertise, travel opportunities, and financial rewards that can truly transform your life. But what exactly can you earn, and how can you maximize your travel radiology tech salary in this field?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about travel radiology tech salaries, from the factors that influence pay to the top-earning potential and strategies to boost your income. With this knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on an exciting and lucrative journey as a travel radiology tech.

Key Takeaways

• Travel radiology techs can earn an average of $117,065 per year or $56.28 per hour depending on factors such as location and experience.
• Salary variations are influenced by geographic location, tenure in the field, specialization & certification, facility type and negotiation skills.
• Comprehensive benefits beyond salary include housing stipends/accommodation options, transportation allowance & 401k plans for retirement savings.

Unlocking the Potential: What You Can Earn as a Travel Radiology Tech

Travel radiology techs, also known as ray techs, are professionals with substantial compensation who significantly contribute to the medical field. On average, they earn an impressive $117,065 per year or $56.28 per hour. As a travel radiology or x ray tech either, your job entails capturing interior images of patients’ bodies using advanced equipment and radiologic procedures to aid in accurate diagnoses, making the expertise of ray tech professionals invaluable.

But what factors influence the pay of travel radiology techs? Several elements come into play, such as the demand for radiology technicians, the average pay of staff radiology technicians, and the highest hourly pay rate that travelers can attain. We will examine the salary spectrum next, to understand how location, experience, and specialization can affect your earning abilities.

Exploring the Salary Spectrum: Understanding Pay Variations for Travel Radiology Techs

A myriad of factors can affect the salary of travel radiology techs, who are responsible for diagnosis and imaging procedure and processes images, including:

• Obtaining certifications
• Specializations
• Experience level
• Geographic location
• Facility type (hospital, clinic, etc.)
• Demand for radiology techs in the area
• Negotiation skills

Moreover, travel radiology techs might have the opportunity to negotiate higher wages with facilities dealing with radiology tech shortages.

How do these factors play out in the real world? Let’s explore the nuances of the salary spectrum and how they relate to the travel radiology tech profession.

From geographic influence to the impact of experience and specialization, this section will help you understand the factors that contribute to variations in pay for travel radiology techs. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the job landscape and maximize your earnings potential.

Geographic Influence on Pay Rates

It’s no secret that the cost of living and demand for travel radiology technologist techs can vary significantly by location. In the United States, the average salary for a travel radiology tech ranges from approximately $1,480 to $4,200 per week, inclusive of stipend. States such as California, New York, and Massachusetts boast the highest pay rates for travel radiology technologists.

Yet, it’s important to consider the cost of living and potential radiation hazards while evaluating job opportunities in different locations. In some cases, a higher salary may be offset by a higher cost of living or a more competitive job market. So, as you map out your career path and evaluate site connection options, keep in mind the geographic factors that can influence your pay rates and minimize potential hazardous effects.

Experience Counts: How Tenure Boosts Income

Experience significantly impacts salary, particularly in the travel radiology field. As you accrue experience and expertise, you can expect to see an increase in your earnings. On average, travel radiology techs can anticipate earning between $30 and $35 per hour, with the salary increase rate dependent on factors such as location, assignment, and experience level.

The type of experience you have can also impact your salary. Variables like facility type (hospital, outpatient center, etc.), and demand for radiology techs in a given area can affect your pay range. To reach peak earning potential, travel radiology techs generally need at least three years of experience. Therefore, focusing on gaining experience and honing your skills can significantly boost your income in the long run.

Specialization and Certification: The Financial Upside

Specialization and certification significantly increase the salary of travel radiology techs. Obtaining a specialization in radiology can enhance your marketability and lead to a higher remuneration. Some of the most lucrative specializations in the travel radiology technologist field offer salaries up to $4,000 per week, along with other benefits such as travel expenses.

To become a travel radiology technologist, certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is required. A specialized travel radiology technician can typically expect a remuneration rate between $1,700 - $2,800 per week, which is higher than the average rates of pay for a general radiology technician. Investing in your education and certifications can undoubtedly pay off in the long run.

Navigating Benefits and Stipends for Travel Radiology Techs

Travel radiology techs also enjoy numerous benefits and stipends, which can greatly improve their overall compensation package, apart from their base salary. These benefits typically include:

• Paid housing
• Transportation
• Per diem allowances
• Excellent benefits packages, including travel expenses.

Housing stipends and comprehensive insurance coverage, such as medical, vision, and dental insurance, are commonly provided to travel radiology techs. Comprehending the full extent of available benefits and stipends can help you fully capitalize on your travel radiology career.

The Apex of Earnings: What's the Top Salary for Travel Radiology Techs?

So, what’s the maximum attainable salary for travel radiology techs? The maximum reported salary, inclusive of stipend, is an impressive $4,200 per week. To attain this level of remuneration, travel radiology techs must focus on:

• Facility type
• Professional progress

The highest remuneration for travel radiology techs can reach up to $4,000 per week, which is comparable to that of other traveling healthcare professions. By focusing on the factors that contribute to reaching the apex of earnings, you can maximize your income potential and enjoy a rewarding career in travel radiology.

Mapping Out the Job Landscape: Where to Find High-Paying Travel Radiology Tech Jobs in the US

• Massachusetts

These states consistently offer the highest salaries for travel radiology techs. Advantis Medical, in particular, has some of the highest paying positions for this role in the country.

Remember, salaries can vary between urban and rural areas, with technologists in densely populated urban areas often earning higher salaries than those in rural areas. As you plan your career path, consider the locations and healthcare facilities that offer the most lucrative opportunities for travel radiology and rad tech/s in the United States. To explore current job opportunities, check out our X-Ray Tech/Rad Tech Travel Jobs page.

Crafting Your Career Path: Strategies to Maximize Your Travel Radiology Tech Salary

Consider these strategies to optimize your travel radiology tech salary:

• Acquire relevant degrees and certifications, including those that demonstrate your ability to practices radiation protection techniques.
• Select facilities and locations offering higher compensation.
• Acquire experience and expertise in travel radiology.
• Negotiate your contract as a radiology tech.
• Establish network and relationships within the travel radiology field.

These strategies can lead to career progression, higher earnings, and secure proceeding through secure www platforms.

Continued education can also have a positive effect on a travel radiology tech’s salary by providing chances for career progression and specialization. By engaging in additional certifications and training, travel radiology techs can enhance their knowledge and abilities, making them more desirable to employers. This can result in higher salaries and improved job prospects.

A Deep Dive into the Day-to-Day: The Role of a Travel Radiology Tech

As a travel radiology tech, your daily work revolves around:

• Using advanced equipment and radiologic procedures to capture interior images of patients’ bodies, aiding in accurate diagnoses
• Traveling to various locations and working in diverse healthcare facilities as a travel rad tech
• Making your day-to-day work both demanding and exhilarating.

From reviewing and evaluating developed x-rays to preparing patients for their imaging scans and procedures, travel radiology techs play a vital role in the healthcare industry. With each new assignment, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge in different healthcare settings and environments, further enhancing your professional growth and earning potential. One of the ways a travel radiology tech contributes to patient care is by ensuring that fluoroscopic film prepares patients for their imaging procedures.

The Full Package: Comprehensive Benefits Beyond Salary for Travel Radiology Techs

In addition to their salary, travel radiology techs often benefit from a comprehensive package of perks and benefits. These may include:

• Excellent benefits packages, such as travel expenses
• Some travel agencies may also offer additional benefits like a 401k plan.

Understanding the full scope of benefits beyond salary is crucial for travel radiology techs. Benefits like housing stipends and healthcare coverage can considerably improve your overall compensation package, ensuring comprehensive care throughout your career.

Housing Options for Travel Radiology Techs: From Move-In Ready to Own Accommodations

Housing is an essential aspect of a travel radiology tech’s experience, as they often need to relocate for assignments. Travel radiology techs are typically provided with housing stipends to cover the expense of their lodgings per travel assignment. However, some may prefer to arrange their own accommodations using a housing stipend.

While considering housing options, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of pre-arranged accommodations, such as move in ready housing, versus using a stipend for personal housing. Pre-arranged accommodations may offer convenience and ready-to-use amenities, but costs may be higher and options limited. On the other hand, using a housing stipend allows for more flexibility in selecting accommodations that meet individual needs and preferences, potentially saving money if the stipend covers the full cost of housing.

For more information on finding suitable housing options, check out our internal blog on the best websites to find travel nurse housing .

Planning for the Future: Retirement Savings Plan for Travel Radiology Techs

Future planning is important for travel radiology techs, and retirement savings constitute a crucial part of this process. Travel radiology techs have access to various retirement savings plans, including the 401(k) Retirement Savings Program, which may include employer matching contributions.

As a travel radiology tech, it’s important to consider how frequent travel and relocation might affect your retirement savings and investment strategies. With potentially higher earnings, travel radiology techs can contribute more to their retirement savings, ensuring a comfortable and secure future. By focusing on long-term financial planning, you can build a solid foundation for your retirement years.

Support on the Road: The Role of a Clinical Manager During Your Entire Travel Journey

A clinical manager provides crucial support and guidance throughout your whole travel rad tech journey, aiding you in handling the challenges and opportunities that accompany the role of a travel radiology tech. Some of the responsibilities of a clinical manager include:

• Coordinating travel arrangements
• Ensuring you have the necessary resources and equipment for your job
• Offering ongoing support and communication to address any concerns or issues that may arise during your assignment

A strong support system, such as a clinical manager, can make a significant difference in your overall experience as a travel radiology tech. By providing guidance and assistance in every step of your journey, clinical managers help ensure that you can focus on delivering top-notch patient care and growing your career in the exciting field of travel radiology.

In conclusion, the travel radiology tech profession offers a unique blend of clinical expertise, travel opportunities, and financial rewards. From understanding the factors that influence pay to exploring the benefits and stipends that enhance your compensation package, this comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and insights needed to maximize your earnings potential and enjoy a rewarding career in the travel radiology tech jobs.

As you embark on your journey as a travel radiology tech, remember that the key to success lies in your ability to adapt, learn, and grow. With the right strategies, support, and determination, you can reach the apex of earnings and create a fulfilling and financially secure future in this exhilarating field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is being a travel xray tech worth it.

Being a travel x-ray tech offers the freedom to tailor professional journeys according to personal preferences, with the flexibility of choosing between short and long contracts. It is certainly worth it.

Which radiology tech gets paid the most?

MRI Technologists have the highest pay among radiology technicians, with a median annual salary of $74,693 and a median hourly wage of $35.91. Radiation Therapists follow with the highest salary with an average salary of $94,000.

How much do travel radiographers make in Texas?

Travel Radiology Technologists in Texas can expect to make an average salary of $2,180 per week, which is 9% lower than the US average of $2,372 per week. This figure was last updated on December 3, 2023, based on 310 active jobs on Vivian.com in the past 7 days.

What factors influence the pay of travel radiology techs?

Location, experience, specialization, and certification all influence the pay of travel radiology techs.

What is the highest possible salary for travel radiology techs?

Travel radiology techs can make up to $4,200 per week, including any stipend.

View more articles like this:

Travel MRI tech frequently asked questions

Table of Contents

Travel MRI technologists, also known as magnetic resonance imaging techs, are specialized radiology technologists who operate magnetic resonance imaging equipment to create diagnostic images of the inside of a patient's body, specifically within soft tissue. The diagnostic imaging that MRI techs provide helps diagnose issues in the brain and nervous system, musculoskeletal system, heart and blood vessels, breasts, and more. The job outlook for travel MRI techs is bright. Travel MRI techs are in demand not only because facilities are short staffed, but because travel MRI techs may have the skills to work on a broad variety of MRI equipment.

At Nomad Health, we understand that travel MRI tech jobs can be demanding, but incredibly rewarding too. That’s why we’re dedicated to removing obstacles for our travel MRI techs, so they can thrive personally and professionally wherever they are. If you’re starting your travel journey, or want to learn more about what it’s like to be a travel MRI tech, our guide is here to help.

What does a travel MRI tech do?

Travel MRI techs work with state of the art equipment to diagnose patients using magnetic resonance imaging technology. Travel MRI techs are highly experienced with using different types of MRI technology and know how to communicate and collaborate with patients and other healthcare staff. The MRIs performed may be routine, STAT, or in conjunction with interventional procedures done by medical providers. In addition to patient care, travel MRI techs have routine tasks they must complete throughout the day, including:

Equipment checks

Travel MRI techs, specifically those working a morning shift, turn on MRI scanners and calibrate them for the day ahead. It’s their responsibility to ensure quality control checks are in place, and that the MRI machine is functioning as it should.

Safety Protocols

Because MRI machines have a strong magnetic field, it's critical for MRI technologists to ensure the surrounding environment, incoming patients, and other healthcare providers present are in accordance with safety protocols for the appropriate MRI zone .

Schedule checks

Travel MRI techs will review their patient schedule for the day to determine what types of scans to expect, if contrast will be required, if patients meet MRI safety standards, and if RN supervision of the patient is required. They may also use this time to review patients' medical history and note any specific concerns ahead of scans.

Exam room prep

Travel MRI techs will make sure exam rooms are stocked with the appropriate supplies before each new patient arrives. If needed, travel MRI techs will check that contrast agents are ready.

Interact with patients

Travel MRI technologists regularly interact with patients before, during, and after MRI scan procedures. They answer patient questions, address concerns, and help the patient prepare for their scan. Post-scan, Travel MRI technologists will provide patient education for any care or follow-ups needed after their scan.

Perform MRI scans

The most important task a travel MRI tech does is to safely perform MRI scans. To do this, they will assist the patient to get into the correct position that works best for accurate MRI imaging. Travel MRI techs operate scanners from a control room and communicate with the patient through an intercom. During a scan, settings may be adjusted and calibrated by the travel MRI tech to get the most high-quality images possible. They may also administer a dye, like gadolinium, to enhance the images. Post-scan, the MRI tech will clean and sanitize the machine in preparation for the next patient.

Image review and documentation

Travel MRI technologists are in charge of reviewing images for quality and completeness. After the images have met this criteria, the MRI tech will document the procedure and make note of any observations in the patient’s medical record. From there, they send the images to a radiologist for final interpretation.

Equipment shutdown

For travel MRI techs working a closing shift, MRI equipment must be properly shut down and sanitized for the next day.

How much does a travel MRI tech earn?

The total compensation of travel MRI technologists depends on many different factors including location, experience, facility demand, education, and certifications. At Nomad Health, travel MRI techs earn around $66 per hour in weekly compensation, including a travel stipend.

How do you become a licensed travel MRI technologist?

To become a travel MRI technologist, everything starts with your education. You’ll be required to have a high school diploma, then complete an accredited radiologic technologist program. Aspiring travel MRI techs can choose between certificate programs, associate degree programs, or bachelor degree programs. The most important step is making sure the institution is accredited by a recognized body like the Joint Review Committee on Education and Licensing in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

Next, you’ll need to pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam to become a certified radiologic technologist. To specialize in MRI, you’ll need to enroll in an MRI-specific training program, or get on-the-job training. After that, you’ll be eligible to take the MRI certification exam from AART, which is the industry gold standard. There are other MRI certifications available from organizations like the American Registry for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) . Once you’ve passed the MRI exam, you can go on to obtain your state license for where you want to practice in.

How long does it take to become a travel MRI tech?

How long it takes to become a travel MRI tech will depend on factors like your educational path, test preparation, and gaining the necessary experience required to complete the certification process. Depending on the job market, it can take anywhere from five to seven years, or more, to become a travel MRI tech.

Are travel MRI technologists in high demand?

Yes. Travel MRI technologists are in high demand. Like other healthcare travel careers, travel MRI techs remain in high demand because of short term staffing needs at healthcare facilities. Another factor that keeps MRI techs in high demand is the rapidly evolving technology they are trained to use. As facilities change or upgrade their MRI machines, It’s critical to have experienced MRI technologists familiar with the models and brands of MRI machines used, and who know how to troubleshoot, update, and operate the equipment.

What certifications do I need as a travel MRI tech?

Certifications are an excellent way for travel MRI techs to show their expertise and increase their skills. Most of these certifications are earned from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Registry for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology (ARMRIT) . Depending on the specific MRI tech travel job, the facility, and state regulations, you may be required to obtain further certifications. At a minimum, travel MRI technologists will require the following certifications:

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Most healthcare facilities will require travel MRI technologists to have a current BLS, which includes CPR training, in case of an emergency.

State license

Travel MRI techs should know that licensing depends on the state you’re working in. Each state comes with its own licensing requirements, so be prepared to take additional certification exams. Be sure to check with your state licensing board to get the most updated information.

MRI certification

With Nomad, travel MRI techs must obtain an MRI certification from AART.

Travel MRI tech healthcare resources

• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). (n.d.). MRI. Retrieved from https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/credential-options/mri
• American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). (2018). MR Safety White Paper. Retrieved from https://www.asrt.org/docs/default-source/research/whitepapers/asrt18_mrsafetywhitepaper.pdf?sfvrsn=ca0222d0_12
• Kanal, E., Tweedle, M., & Brunberg, J. A. (2016). Residual or retained gadolinium: practical implications for radiologists and our patients. Radiology, 279(3), 630-635. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848040/
• American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). (n.d.). Certified Technologists. Retrieved from https://www.armrit.org/certified.php

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A NASA telescope unlocked the mysteries of black holes. Now it's on the chopping block.

The Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of four great space telescopes NASA launched in the 1990s, revolutionized our understanding of the universe from the moment it first began recording X-rays ‒ the energy emitted by extremely hot objects, like the matter swirling into black holes. Now 25 years old, scientists involved with the telescope believe it can last another decade.

But the president's budget for next year sliced almost $1 billion from NASA's funding request, a roughly 12% cut. The space agency then allocated only a fraction of what's needed to keep Chandra going each year, slating $41 million for the upcoming year and $25 million for the year after. It needs about $70 million annually for normal operations. The shortfall would shut down the telescope and leave the project adrift, without enough to even wind it down properly, astronomers say.

"This is a challenging budget environment, and that means we need to make difficult decisions," Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters, said in an email to USA TODAY. "NASA has to balance investments in future missions against some of our larger missions in extended science operations."

Of the four great telescopes NASA launched in the 90s, two have aged out. One, the Hubble, needed glasses, but has been going strong since. The agency will hold a review this spring for both the Hubble and Chandra to reduce the "cost of science operations for both observatories" before determining how to proceed, Clampin wrote.

Astronomer David Pooley, whose research depends on the Chandra, disagrees with the idea that the telescope has outlived its usefulness. He compared NASA’s logic to deciding against sending your child to college because you don't have the money for the plane ticket to get them there.

The loss of Chandra, said Pooley, a professor of physics and astronomy at Trinity University in San Antonio, "is going to be disastrous for X-ray astronomy."

Chandra has offered many insights, including how supermassive black holes can coexist in the same galaxy , that Einstein's theory of general relativity holds, so space-time is a continuum, and the first direct proof that most of the matter in the universe is "dark" – unable to be seen but still exerting a gravitational pull on galaxies and gas.

X-ray astronomy uses the same kind of light to explore the cosmos that doctors use to look inside the body.

"The X-ray sky is incredibly dynamic," Pooley said. Unlike the sky we see, which looks the same night after night, "the X-ray sky is just violent and variable and exciting."

That means it's not predictable, he said.

He said one of the great things about Chandra is that it's been able to redirect toward exciting events as they appear, like an outburst from a black hole binary star system, enabling scientists to see the dynamism in action and unravel what's going on.

"So much of the science depends on being able to look at a source when it's doing something interesting," Pooley said, noting that reducing the budget even the first year will eliminate the flexibility to do that.

The next X-ray telescope won't be ready to launch until 2032, according to NASA's current timetable. And if there's a gap until then, there won't be anyone still around with expertise in X-ray astronomy, Pooley said.

If the mission is cut now, about 50 astronomers will lose their jobs this year, but even more importantly, students will stop training in the field of X-ray astronomy because they know they won't have a telescope to use for at least a decade.

"This is the existential crisis we face," Pooley said. To have a vibrant field of X-ray astronomy requires both a mission and astronomers, he said, and with these budget cuts, "there are just simply not going to be people who can do this."

Space aging

When NASA designs missions, it considers anything that lasts longer than five years a success.

The first of its four Great Observatories was Hubble, launched in 1990, which can perceive in the  ultraviolet ,  visible , and  near-infrared  regions of the spectrum of electromagnetic energy waves . Astronomers rapidly realized that its primary mirror had been polished to the wrong shape. Luckily, its orbit was close enough to the Earth that it could be serviced by astronauts on the Space Shuttle and in 1993 they added an external corrective device to clear up its vision.

Second was the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, focused on the gamma and X-ray areas of the spectrum, which lasted from 1991 to 1999. The Spitzer Space Telescope launched in 2003 and was dedicated to infrared astronomy. It was deactivated in 2020 after it ran out of coolant and eventually lost the ability to communicate with Earth.

The Chandra was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on July 23, 1999 – it will turn 25 this summer. 

As NASA's Clampin noted, "Chandra was originally designed for a mission of five years and has now been operating for nearly 25 years."

"Space is a harsh environment that eventually limits mission lifetimes," he said. A review in 2022 recommended keeping it going through 2025 but noted doing so was becoming more complex as it aged, given the difficulties of managing in the temperatures of space.

Hubble, likely because of its early problems, has its own line item in the federal budget, apart from NASA's and is apparently not targeted with budget cuts at this time.

Chandra's staff cannot speak publicly about the telescope. As federal employees, any comments they make could be considered lobbying, which would be illegal.

Last month more than 700 astronomers worldwide, including nobel laureate Rainer Weiss, signed a letter defending the telescope and Pooley said the field continues to need what it has to offer. They hope their lobbying and public support will encourage Congress to restore funding.

"I strongly disagree with the idea that Chandra is old news," Pooley said. "It is our flagship and it is cutting edge still."

Collaborative research

NASA's new James Webb Space Telescope, deployed in early 2022, was designed to work in concert with the Chandra . Space telescopes from the U.S. and other countries work together to create a combined picture of the universe.

Together, the Webb and Chandra have located extremely distant, massive black holes, Pooley said, which is "a fundamentally exciting result that has a lot of astronomers scratching our heads and realizing that we have a lot of work to do to understand our early universe."

In his own research, Pooley said, he uses optical telescopes from the ground and space in collaboration with the Chandra to understand quasars – extremely bright, supermassive black holes in the distant universe ‒ and dark matter, whose presence is determined by its gravity rather than the light it emits.

"If we can understand dark matter distribution, that can help inform ideas about what it is made of," he said.

"It's all this amazing information and it's absolutely reliant on something as powerful as Chandra, with that kind of resolution," Pooley said. "This is impossible to do any other way."

NASA's Clampin said other current and planned telescopes will compensate for the loss of Chandra.

But researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, some of whom have been involved in Chandra and others who have not, wrote a joint statement saying it will be decades before another telescope has the resolution and X-ray capability of Chandra.

“A versatile, general-purpose observatory like Chandra, that complements other instruments with capabilities that no other X-ray telescope can match, will continue to make important discoveries," said research scientist Hans Moritz Guenther.

“The astronomical community certainly hasn’t run out of ideas for using (Chandra)," added research scientist Catherine Grant.

What Chandra has shown so far

Before Chandra was turned on, astronomers knew there was a background "hum" of X-rays in the universe, but they didn't know why. From its first images sent back from outer orbit 25 years ago, they were able to see that the rays were coming from specific spots in the sky, identified as black holes.

"Dark matter tends to pull the Universe together, and dark energy tends to drive it apart. Chandra’s immense power has enabled critical observational breakthroughs to advance our theoretical understanding of this cosmic struggle," according to a website set up in the telescope's defense, SaveChandra.org .

It was Chandra that confirmed when the first gravitational waves were captured by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory or LIGO, an event that led to a Nobel prize and confirmed Einstein's theories once and for all.

That 2017 event marked the first time astronomers had all of the necessary pieces of information to confirm predictions about the merging of neutron stars and the production of gravitational waves followed by signals in gamma rays, X-rays, optical and infrared light.

"This is a big deal because it's an entirely new level of knowledge," astronomer Daryl Haggard said at the time. "This discovery allows us to link this gravitational wave source up to all the rest of astrophysics, stars, galaxies, explosions, growing massive black holes, and of course neutron star mergers."

Decades ago, astronomer Carl Sagan captured the public's imagination by describing the universe – including Earth and its inhabitants – as being made of stardust.

With Chandra, Pooley said, he can show his undergraduates the chemical elements essential for life as they are literally blown out of exploding stars and spread across space and time.

"The students are just sitting there with their mouths open," he said. "This isn't just some abstract idea. They see it happening in front of their eyes."

Karen Weintraub can be reached at [email protected] .

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Brian Barrett

How Israel Defended Against Iran's Drone and Missile Attack

On Saturday, Iran launched more than 300 drones and cruise missiles at Israel , a response to a strike earlier this month against Iran's embassy in Syria. As they made their way to their target, Israel invoked a number of defense systems to impede their progress. That starts with the Iron Dome.

The Iron Dome , operational for well over a decade , comprises at least 10 missile-defense batteries strategically distributed around the country. When radar detects incoming objects, it sends that information back to a command-and-control center, which will track the threat to assess whether it’s a false alarm, and where it might hit if it’s not. The system then fires interceptor missiles at the incoming rockets that seem most likely to hit an inhabited area.

“All of that process was designed for defense against low-flying, fast-moving missiles,” says Iain Boyd, director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado. Which also makes it well prepared for an onslaught of drones. “A drone is going to be flying probably slower than these rockets,” Boyd says, “so in some ways it’s an easier threat to address.”

Things get more complicated if the drones are flying so low that the radar can’t detect them. The biggest challenge to the Iron Dome, though, is sheer quantity. Israel has hundreds of interceptor missiles at its disposal, but it’s still possible for the Iron Dome to get overwhelmed, as it did on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel with a barrage of thousands of missiles.

Israel officials say that the Iron Dome and other systems successfully defended against 99 percent of the Iranian drones and missiles, although a 10-year-old boy was reportedly injured by shrapnel from an interceptor.

While the Iron Dome is Israel’s last line of defense, it’s not the only factor that came into play. The UAVs in question are likely Iran-made Shahed-136 drones, which have played a prominent role in Russia’s war against Ukraine . These so-called suicide drones—it has a built-in warhead and is designed to crash into targets—are relatively cheap to produce, which is why Iran was able to send them in such quantity.

“At one level they’re not difficult to take down. They’re not stealthy, they don’t fly very fast, and they don’t maneuver,” says David Ochmanek, senior defense analyst at the nonprofit RAND Corporation. “In some way, they're like airborne targets.”

That slowness and fixed flight path in particular mean the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) had to travel for several hours before they reached their intended destination, leaving ample opportunities to intercept them.

“Because there’s so much indication of warning in advance of the UAS, presumably there’s going to be a lot of fixed-wing, manned aircraft that are looking at these things, tracking these things, and presumably trying to engage these things,” says Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy think tank.

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Some of that work fell to the US military; CNN reports that forces in the region intercepted more than 70 drones and “at least three” ballistic missiles. The UK said it also provided backup for US planes that had been diverted from their existing missions, and that it would intercept UAVs as well.

That doesn't mean, though, that these drones should be taken lightly. “They have high-explosive warheads of several hundred pounds. If one hits a building, it'll destroy that building,” says Ochmanek. “The other thing is, they fly low. If you have a ground-based radar, they don't break the horizon until they're fairly close to the target, so the engagement time is limited.”

Israel’s further-reaching defense systems also came into play. The country’s Arrow 3 antiballistic missiles can intercept exo-atmospheric targets—that is to say, in space—while Arrow 2 systems have less range but are still considered extremely effective. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari credited the Arrow system with taking out most of Iran’s ballistic missiles. There’s also the “David’s Sling” system, which has a much shorter range than Arrow but should prove effective against drone attacks.

Hagari also said that the country would scramble GPS signals as a further effort to disrupt the incoming UAVs.

The question now is whether the tensions will escalate from here, and how Israel’s air defense resources hold up after October 7 and months of sustained attacks on Gaza. “I think that’s probably part of the strategy on the part of Iran, is that the last six months has probably depleted the number of interceptors available to the Iron Dome systems,” says Boyd. “They saw for themselves the effectiveness of the Hamas attack. I think they’re trying to use the same approach.”

In an update Sunday morning local time, Hagari said Israel had intercepted most of the dozens of surface-to-surface missiles Iran had launched thus far, along with more than 10 cruise missiles and dozens of UAVs, all outside of Israel’s territory. Iran has indicated that the attack is over and that it considers the matter settled, but warned against retaliation from Israel.

“Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute,” said Iranian ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani in a letter to the United Nations.

“What I would be concerned about,” says Karako, “is what we haven’t yet seen.”

Update 4/13/2024, 9:33 pm ET: Added comment from RAND Corporation's David Ochmanek.

Update 4/14/2024, 9:00 am ET: Added latest details from the attack and a statement from Iran's UN ambassador.

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