 "NASA is planning to create an artificial star and launch it into space. Here’s why")
NASA is set to embark on an innovative mission to launch an artificial star into space, aiming to enhance the accuracy of astronomical measurements.
This mission, named Landolt, involves a device about the size of a toaster, equipped with eight lasers. Its primary function is to simulate the light from stars and other celestial objects, such as supernovas, by directing laser beams towards instruments on Earth.
The $19.5 million Landolt mission seeks to help scientists achieve more precise measurements of real stars. Researchers believe the data gathered could also contribute to the study of dark energy, the mysterious force thought to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.
David Ciardi, deputy director of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and an astronomer at Caltech, emphasized the mission’s significance. He explained that current instruments can only measure the true brightness of stars to within a few per cent. The Landolt mission aims to improve this accuracy by more than tenfold, which will enhance our understanding of stars and the planets orbiting them.
Accurate measurements of stellar brightness are crucial for a better understanding of these distant worlds and their potential to host life.
The mission is named in honour of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his extensive catalogues of stellar brightness, which have been a cornerstone in astronomy since 1973.
Daniel Huber, an associate astronomer and professor at the University of Hawaii, highlighted Landolt’s lasting impact on the astronomy community.
The artificial star created by the Landolt mission will serve as a reference point. By comparing its known brightness to that of distant stars, scientists can develop new, more accurate catalogues of stellar brightness. Although the artificial star won’t be visible to the naked eye, it can be observed through a telescope.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn addition to improving stellar measurements, the Landolt mission aims to enhance our understanding of the universe’s expansion. By studying the brightness of distant stars, researchers hope to gain insights into dark energy, one of the most significant mysteries in astronomy today.
The spacecraft carrying the artificial star is scheduled to launch in 2029. It will orbit the Earth at a geostationary altitude of 22,236 miles, allowing it to remain fixed over a single point on the planet’s surface.
Jamie Tayar, an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Florida and a member of the mission team, stressed the mission’s fundamental importance. S
he noted that the goal is to determine whether other planets orbiting other stars could have conditions suitable for life, such as oceans. For each star, it’s essential to know exactly how much energy it emits and the precise distance of the planet from the star.
By providing more accurate measurements of stellar brightness, the Landolt mission will contribute to our understanding of the conditions necessary for life on other planets. This groundbreaking endeavour represents a significant step forward in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.
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