NASA Reveals Prototype Telescope For Gravitational Wave Observatory (phys.org) 14
NASA has revealed a full-scale prototype for six telescopes designed to detect gravitational waves. Phys.Org reports: The LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission is led by ESA (European Space Agency) in partnership with NASA to detect gravitational waves by using lasers to measure precise distances -- down to picometers, or trillionths of a meter -- between a trio of spacecraft distributed in a vast configuration larger than the sun. Each side of the triangular array will measure nearly 1.6 million miles, or 2.5 million kilometers.
The Engineering Development Unit Telescope, which was manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, arrived at Goddard in May. The primary mirror is coated in gold to better reflect the infrared lasers and to reduce heat loss from a surface exposed to cold space, since the telescope will operate best when close to room temperature.
The prototype is made entirely from an amber-colored glass-ceramic called Zerodur, manufactured by Schott in Mainz, Germany. The material is widely used for telescope mirrors and other applications requiring high precision because its shape changes very little over a wide range of temperatures. The LISA mission is slated to launch in the mid-2030s.
The Engineering Development Unit Telescope, which was manufactured and assembled by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York, arrived at Goddard in May. The primary mirror is coated in gold to better reflect the infrared lasers and to reduce heat loss from a surface exposed to cold space, since the telescope will operate best when close to room temperature.
The prototype is made entirely from an amber-colored glass-ceramic called Zerodur, manufactured by Schott in Mainz, Germany. The material is widely used for telescope mirrors and other applications requiring high precision because its shape changes very little over a wide range of temperatures. The LISA mission is slated to launch in the mid-2030s.
But would we wave back (Score:1)
Mirror Waves back at you. (Score:3)
In cold hard space, Mirror Waves back at you.
(pun intended)
warping (Score:2)
Sounds interesting!
I've heard so many theories about warping space time that I am inclined to at least maybe believe in the possibility.
Note: gravity would be an inherent part of it
Re: (Score:2)
Re:warping (Score:5, Interesting)
LIGO detects gravity waves of "5 Hz to about 20,000 Hz" according to https://www.npl.washington.edu... [washington.edu]. So we are looking for waves outside that frequency. I don't know how sensitive they are at that frequency, I presume they are also looking to up that sensitivity.
Re: (Score:2)
LIGO detects gravity waves of "5 Hz to about 20,000 Hz"
Worse than my headphones.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
LIGO baseline is 3 km. LISA baseline will be 2.5 million km so potentially about a million times more sensitive but there are other differences: e.g. LIGO is mounted securely on the ground and uses about 300 bounces (versus 1 bounce for LISA) so it's effectively more like 900km, also satellites tend to drift, probably many other differences (no earthquakes or ground vibrations). In the end, it works out that LIGO is more sensitive but only at frequencies from .0001hz to 1hz. It will see neutron stars and
Sharks + Laser = Profit (Score:2)
Can we add sharks to those laser-shooting satellites ?
Re: (Score:2)
Can we add sharks to those laser-shooting satellites ?
At a minimum add Disgruntled Bass to them :)
LISA website (Score:2)
Gold As An Insulator? (Score:2)
I would think gold would be the very LAST thing I'd consider as an insulator, given its very very VERY high conductivity :-(
Re: (Score:2)
room temperature (Score:2)
the telescope will operate best when close to room temperature.
Every room is "room temperature", how does work in space?
Just sayin', all these scientific terms are confusing.