Probes Seeing The Universe in Stereo
March 9th 2011 03:33
Category: Space Probes
Stereo Probes
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NASA has launched two sophisticated probes designed to view our sun three dimensionally
The two probes aptly named Stereo each will carry out separate tasks.
One of probes carries a Heliospheric Imager (HI), the camera is not pointed directly at the Sun, but rather, explores a wide angle view near the Sun.
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This probe serves as an early warning device and will be mainly used to detect any CMEs directed at the Earth. The H.I. undertakes other duties including the possible detection of an extrasolar planets.
Since being deployed in 2006 the Stereo images have made some interesting discoveries.
The instrument has observed the interaction of CMEs with the atmosphere of Venus. In October 2007 it also observed comet Encke losing its tail stripped by a blast form a CME.
The spacecraft is designed to view a specific section of space for very long periods.
The spacecraft is able to take pictures about every 40 minutes for almost 20 days in a secession giving excellent coverage. The resulting images have the potential to be used for detailed survey studies in order to pinpoint distant planets and stars beyond our galaxy.
Successive detailed survey conducted so far have detected some 263 eclipsing variable stars, 122 of which have not been previously classified.
The STEREO HI detector has observed and surveyed many variable stars, in particular Star V 471 Tau.
This is red giant with a white dwarf binary in the Hyades star cluster. This star is a strong source of interest for stellar astrophysicists because the system is suspected to have the potential to become a type Ia supernova. Star V 471 Tau constantly assaults the white dwarf companion with massive amounts of energy.
These probes will go a long way in helping our understanding of how our Sun works and may provide us with information on other distant solar systems.
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Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
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thank you for the comment
Having the opportunity to be able to accessing information is a privlage.
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
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As I am getting on in years I guess I have developed an appreciation of sharing some of the thing that are part of life.
I developed a fascination with space when I first heard the beep beep, beep from Sputnik 1.
And that’s going back a few years!!