United States Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing to launch two rocket, DEUCE and SISTINE from northern Australia in the first half of July. The launch was the second after NASA also launched a rocket from Australia on June 26 last.
Citing the official site NASAthese two launch missions will monitor Alpha Centauri A and B, two Sun-like stars near the human solar system and far ultraviolet light.
Ultraviolet light is a crucial factor in searching for signs of life. That little light could help form the molecules needed for life.
But if too much, ultraviolet light can destroy the atmosphere and make the planet uninhabitable.
“Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun plays a key role in why Mars lost its atmosphere and the Venusian landscape turned dry,” said University of Colorado astronomer Brian Fleming.
“Understanding ultraviolet radiation is critical to understanding what makes a planet habitable,” he added.
So far, of the five thousand known exo planets, only Earth can be a home. In searching for similar planets, astronomers focus on planets orbiting in the habitable zone, defined as the distance from a star where the planet’s temperature can support the presence of water.
“But it’s the most basic way to classify a planet as habitable,” Brian said.
DEUCE and SISTINE plan to work together to get a full picture of the ultraviolet rays coming from Alpha Centauri A and B.
Previously, NASA had launched a rocket from Australia on June 26 last. It was the first NASA rocket to be launched from Australia since 1995.
The rocket, carrying technology likened to the “mini Hubble” telescope, took off about 350 kilometers (218 miles) into the sky on Friday (24/6) evening local time.
“This is an important opportunity for us as a company in particular, but it is historic for Australia,” said Equatorial Launch Australia CEO Michael Jones before the launch. South China Morning Post.
(can/lth)
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