NASA develops a flower-type space shade to help photograph exoplanets
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According to the British "Daily Mail," this stunning image might look like a blooming flower floating in space, but it's actually a revolutionary new tool being developed by NASA. The device, designed to block out starlight, will allow astronomers to capture clear images of distant exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. The petal-like structure is key to its function, as it helps suppress the overwhelming brightness of the host star, making it possible for telescopes to detect the faint light of the planets themselves.
For over 15 years, scientists have used indirect methods to find exoplanets, such as detecting the gravitational pull of a planet on its star or observing dips in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it. However, directly imaging these distant worlds has always been a major challenge. Imaging an Earth-like planet, which is billions of times dimmer than its parent star, is like trying to spot a firefly next to a lighthouse from miles away. This is why NASA's new technology could be a game-changer in the field of astronomy.
To overcome this obstacle, researchers are working on a technique known as "star blocking." This involves using a specialized device that can precisely filter out the light from a star, allowing the telescope to see the much fainter planets orbiting around it. The latest design, called the "space sunflower," is a large, flower-shaped shield that will be positioned between the telescope and the target star. By doing so, it blocks the starlight while letting the planet’s light through, enabling detailed observations.
The unique petal shape of the device plays a crucial role in its efficiency. When viewed from a distance, the edges of the petals create a smoother transition, reducing the amount of light that bends around them. This means the shadow created is darker, allowing the telescope to detect even the smallest and most distant planets. Dr. Stuart Shaklan, the chief engineer of the Star Shading program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained: "The design of the petals helps minimize light diffraction, resulting in a deeper shadow. This allows the telescope to see the planets that would otherwise be lost in the glare of their host stars."
This innovative approach also differs from traditional space instruments because it works in conjunction with existing telescopes. As Shaklan noted, "This means we can use already launched telescopes to perform these observations. The device itself has thrusters that allow it to move and block different stars, making it highly versatile." This flexibility could significantly expand the range of exoplanets that can be studied.
Jeremy Kasdin, the project's chief scientist from Princeton University, added: "One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that all the petals deploy correctly in space with millimeter-level precision. If we can achieve this, we'll be able to directly image Earth-like exoplanets—something that's impossible to do from the ground. Imagine seeing a small dot in the sky and knowing it's another Earth. That’s what this technology could bring us closer to." With continued development, NASA's "space sunflower" may soon open up a new era in the search for alien worlds.
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