NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope opens its eyes in the mid 2020s, it will peer at the universe through some of the most sophisticated sunglasses ever designed. This multi-layered technology, the coronagraph instrument, might more rightly be called "starglasses": a system of masks, prisms, detectors and even self-flexing mirrors built to block out the glare from distant stars — and reveal the planets in orbit around them.
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
1 posted on
09/26/2019 6:28:21 AM PDT by
SunkenCiv
To: SunkenCiv
Normally, that glare is overwhelming, blotting out any chance of seeing planets orbiting other starsKind of like trying to see a speck of dust floating in front of an incandescent light bulb from across a large room.
2 posted on
09/26/2019 7:23:25 AM PDT by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(Elitist Liberals have no idea the hunger and strength of the beast they have uncaged.)
To: SunkenCiv
The future’s so bright, I gotta wear sunshades....
3 posted on
09/26/2019 7:24:18 AM PDT by
Lazamataz
(We can be called a racist and we'll just smile. Because we don't care.)
To: SunkenCiv
Some of the original designs for the Starglasses
4 posted on
09/26/2019 7:29:42 AM PDT by
COBOL2Java
(Hillary Clinton: Just like Joe with only half the dementia.)
To: SunkenCiv
Don’t contract Perkin Elmer to build it.
5 posted on
09/26/2019 7:34:05 AM PDT by
sasquatch
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson