NEOWISE
COMET - GEOGRAPHY
News:
Scientists and engineers in Southern California got an exclusive glimpse at a
recent snapshot of Fornax, a constellation of stars in the Southern Hemisphere.
- NEOWISE, which previously
orbited at 310 miles, is now at an altitude of 217 miles above Earth's
surface due to increased solar activity.\
What’s
in the news?
NEOWISE
- NEOWISE stands for Near-Earth
Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Initially launched
as WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) in December
2009.
- The primary aim was to map the sky in
infrared wavelengths.
After
completing its primary mission, WISE was reactivated in 2013 as NEOWISE to
identify and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs).
The
NEOWISE Telescope
- The NEOWISE telescope has made
numerous contributions to astronomy.
- It has discovered thousands of new
objects in space, including asteroids and comets, many of which pose
potential threats to Earth.
- The data collected has been
invaluable for scientists, helping them understand the size, composition,
and trajectories of these celestial bodies.
- However, NASA recently
announced the closure of the NEOWISE mission due to the aging
state of the telescope.
- It had been operational for more than
a decade, far exceeding its expected lifespan.
- The closure marks the end of an era,
but the data and discoveries from NEOWISE will continue to be analyzed and
hold significance in future research.
Comet
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
- One of the most remarkable
discoveries of the NEOWISE mission was Comet C/2020 F3, commonly known as
Comet NEOWISE.
- This comet became visible to
the naked eye in July 2020, providing a stunning spectacle for
skywatchers around the world.
Impact
of NEOWISE Data:
- Contributions to Astronomy:
The data collected by NEOWISE has been critical in determining the
quantity, trajectory, size, and composition of various asteroids within
our solar system.
- Notable Discoveries:
This included the first identification of an Earth Trojan asteroid,
expanding our understanding of near-Earth objects.
Key
Facts about Comet NEOWISE:
- Visibility: The
comet was visible in the northern hemisphere and could be observed
with binoculars or a small telescope, and in some cases, even
unaided.
- Tail: Like
other comets, NEOWISE developed a bright tail composed of gas and dust.
This tail could stretch out to millions of miles.
- Survival: NEOWISE
survived its closest approach to the Sun on July 3, 2020. Many comets
disintegrate when they come close to the Sun, but NEOWISE's
resilience added to its allure.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/nasa-closes-wise-aging-eyes-orbiting-telescope-9507802/