Astronomers usually deal with giant objects, such as telescopes and galaxies. However, one of the most revolutionary astronomy tools of the decade is a small satellite, which will act as artificial star for astronomers, allowing them to more accurately measure the brightness of objects in space and understand mysterious phenomena.
More specifically, the NASA recently approved the mission Landolt Space Missionheight 19.5 million dollars, to launch this microsatellite into Earth orbit. The microsatellite, called a CubeSat, will emit a specific number of photons, helping astronomers calibrate their telescopes to measure the light. This will eliminate the need for guesswork that astronomers make when using a real star for calibration, since they don’t know exactly how much light real stars emit.
The CubeSat, which will launch in 2029, it will orbit the Earth at a distance of 22,236 miles, its speed matching the Earth’s rotation, making it appear stationary in the night sky to telescopes. This mission is expected to help astronomers measure the light emitted by stars with ten times more precision than current estimates.
Accuracy in measuring light is critical, as it can reveal information about the temperature, mass and types of exoplanets that orbit the stars, as well as whether they can support life. In addition, the Landolt mission can help understand the expansion rate of the universe, an important issue for understanding dark energy. This mission is expected to be revolutionary for astronomy, improving the accuracy and detail of our observations in space.
Source: www.digitallife.gr
