Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXC)
Skip to the navigation links
Search the CIAO website or contact the CXC HelpDesk
Last modified: 30 April 2013
Return to: Dictionary index

Dither

While observing a source, Chandra does not maintain a fixed pointing direction, but instead dithers in a Lissajous figure. Irrational periods are used in Y and Z directions to make a non-closed Lissajous pattern.

The dither why topic has details of the Chandra dither pattern.

Return to: Dictionary index

Last modified: 30 April 2013
CXC logo

The Chandra X-Ray Center (CXC) is operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.   Email: cxcweb@head.cfa.harvard.edu Smithsonian Institution, Copyright © 1998-2012. All rights reserved.