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WG3K   > ANS      29.09.24 01:24l 19 Lines 4322 Bytes #96 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS273.4
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Subj: Artificial Star Mission Aims to Help Unlock Secret
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Sent: 240929/0020Z 8714@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24


NASA is embarking on an ambitious mission that could reshape our understanding of the universe with the help of a small, human-made satellite. Researchers at George Mason University are leading a $19.5 million NASA-funded project to launch an "artificial star" into space. The goal of this satellite, once it reaches orbit, is to appear as a star to telescopes on Earth, allowing scientists to gather more precise data on stellar brightness. The mission could unlock critical insights into the age, size, and scale of stars, offering fresh clues about the expansion of the universe and even the potential for extraterrestrial life.

The so-called artificial star will be positioned in geostationary orbit, approximately 22,236 miles from Earth. While it wonâ€Öt be visible to the naked eye, telescopes will be able to track the satellite as it moves at the same speed as Earthâ€Ös rotation, staying positioned over the U.S. Named in honor of the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, known for his work in stellar calibration, the satellite will spend its first year in space using advanced technology to monitor the brightness of millions of stars. This will allow astronomers to refine existing models for measuring stellar evolution and the universeâ€Ös expansion.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Sat...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NASAs-Landolt-Satellite-Laser-Calibration.jpg
NASA's Landolt mission will help researchers study star brightness. [Credit: George Mason University]

Equipped with a sophisticated array of lasers, the satellite will serve as a controlled reference point for researchers on Earth. It will enhance the accuracy of brightness measurements, providing data that cannot be gathered from ground-based telescopes alone. According to Peter Plavchan, the primary investigator of the Landolt NASA Space Mission at George Mason, this mission represents a breakthrough in how stars and even distant supernovae are studied. “Such measurements can only be achieved by a space-based orbiting artificial star,� Plavchan said.

The mission, part of NASAâ€Ös Pioneers program, marks a significant milestone for George Mason University. This is the university's first time leading such a mission, with NASA providing oversight and key technical support. George Mason is collaborating with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 10 other universities to develop the satellite, which will face significant engineering challenges in high orbit. “Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload,â€� said Peter Pachowicz, an engineering professor at George Mason. “Itâ€Ös an incredibly exciting opportunity.â€�
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kitt...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Arlo-Landolt-Kitt-Peak-National-Observatory.jpg
Astronomer Arlo Landolt had compiled widely used catalogs of stellar brightness. [Credit: NOIRLab]

One of the broader goals of the Landolt mission is to contribute to the search for habitable planets. By analyzing how stars influence planetary environments, the satellite could help scientists better understand where in the universe conditions might be suitable for life. Astronomers are particularly interested in so-called habitable or “Goldilocksâ€� zones, where planets could have the right conditionsâ€öneither too hot nor too coldâ€öto support liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Understanding how stars affect these zones is essential to identifying planets that may harbor life.

While the mission has the potential to revolutionize the field of astronomy, it also poses big challenges. Finding definitive evidence of life beyond Earth requires precise measurements of stellar properties, such as how much energy a star emits and how close a planet is to that star. "There are so many big questions in astronomy: How did we get here? Are there other planets like ours? Do aliens exist?" said Jamie Tayar, an astronomer at the University of Florida, a partner in the mission. With the launch of the artificial star planned for 2029, the team hopes to get one step closer to answering these profound questions.

[ANS thanks Eric Lagatta, USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/, for the above information]


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