Lmst

#Starshade

Dynamically Stable Large Space Structures via Architected Metamaterials

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.universetoday.com/170628/dynamically-stable-large-space-structures-via-architected-metamaterials/

<p>Exoplanet exploration has taken off in recent years, with over 5500 being discovered so far. Some have even been in the habitable zones of their stars. Imaging one such potentially habitable exoplanet is the dream of many exoplanet hunters, however, technology has limited their ability to do that. In particular, one specific piece of technology needs to be improved before we can directly image an exoplanet in the habitable zone of another star – a starshade. Christine Gregg, a researcher at NASA Ames Research Center, hopes to contribute to the effort of developing one and has received a NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) grant as part of the 2025 cohort to work on a star shade that is based on a special type of metamaterial.</p>

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<p>To understand the goal of Dr. Gregg and her team, it’s best first to understand what starshades do and what’s holding them back from being deployed. A starshade is designed to float in tandem with a space telescope and block out the light from a specific star, allowing the telescope to capture light directly from the much-less bright planet that is orbiting the star. That light can contain information about its size, orbital period, and even its atmospheric composition that would otherwise be lost in the overwhelming brightness of the planet’s star.</p>

<p>The shape of a starshade, which traditionally looks like a flower petal, might seem counterintuitive at first – i

This Giant Space Flower Could Help Us Find A New Earth
#SciShow #Science #Astronomy #Telescope #SpaceTelescope #StarShade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZHph3Wd8P0

Another piece of the puzzle: space origami. This is one famous example, an origami star shade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALGI0ex0-ac?t=93

Make your own:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/resources/project/space-origami-make-your-own-starshade/

#StarShade #origami

A Giant #Futuristic #Starshade Could Help #Astronomers Spot #Earthlike #Planets
https://www.inverse.com/science/giant-futuristic-starshade-could-help-astronomers-spot-earth-like-planets

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