Mounted on the International Space Station, LEAP would study the energetic jets launched during the explosive death of a massive star, or the merger of compact objects such as neutron stars. LEAP's measurements of polarization in gamma-ray bursts could distinguish between competing theories for the nature of the jets, which move out at close to the speed of light. LEAP would complement NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), scheduled to launch in 2021.
Key Staff
- Science Collaborator: Joanne Hill-Kittle
- Principal Investigator:
- Co Investigator: Steven Sturner
- Co Investigator: John Krizmanic
