Using generator of shock waves of the hemispherical geometry, densities of liquid xenon were measured at pressure of shock compression of 175 GPa in direct shock wave and at pressure of ∼350 GPa in shock wave reflected from a sapphire window. High‐velocity four‐channel pyrometer was used to measure temperatures up to ∼ 33000 K in pressure range up to 230 GPa at wavelengths of 406, 498, 550 and 600 nm. The photochronographic method was used to measure temperature of ∼ 20000 K of shock‐compressed liquid xenon in plane‐wave devices in pressure range up to 95 GPa at wavelength of 430 nm. The obtained results were compared to available experimental and calculated data. © 2004 American Institute of Physics