A high resolving power, for example, is necessary to distinguish the lithium satellite lines from the overlapping helium -like lines or transitions. Therefore, scientists will know exactly what elements are in X-ray sources such as supernova remnants, as well as their abundance, their density , and how fast they are moving. Constellation-X will be the next best thing to reaching out and touching supernova remnants, black holes, clusters of galaxies, and dark matter . The observatory will be able to measure the extreme gravitational force around a black hole. A black hole is defined by a surface called the event horizon , where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape.
Stellar matter is crushed into a single point behind the event horizon.
Around black holes, interstellar gases move, heat up, and emit light energy in the form of X-rays. Constellation-X will be able to zoom to within a few miles of the event horizons of supermassive black holes in active galaxies outside our own Milky Way and obtain spectra of the gas found there. The spectra will be utilized to see the effects of how extreme gravity around a black hole affects the composition, pressure, density, temperature, and velocity of nearby gas. From individual stars to clusters of galaxies, the Universe is one big recycling machine. Constellation-X will produce detailed measurements of the formation of elements between carbon and zinc in stars, by observing supernova remnants.