Researchers are on the brink of a monumental discovery, thanks to a new technology developed by physicists that can detect smaller variations in starlight caused by exoplanets. These astrocombs are able to analyze the blue-green light emitted by stars, which has previously been limited to the green-red part of the light spectrum. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting a nearby sun-like star.
The new system developed by physicists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge is expanding the possibilities in space exploration. Dr Samantha Thompson from the University of Cambridge expressed excitement about this new technology’s potential to enable researchers to study smaller planets with longer orbits. Heriot-Watt Professor Derrick Reid noted that the technology provides a continuous array of optical markers from ultraviolet to blue-green, serving as a precise scale of wavelengths in this part of the spectrum.
The technology is currently being developed for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) being constructed in Chile. This telescope will have a 39 meter primary mirror, making it one of the largest visible and infrared light telescopes in existence. The British team involved in this project will also work on implementing astrocombs for telescopes in South Africa and the Canary Islands. The potential breakthroughs that this new technology could bring to space exploration are an exciting prospect for researchers and scientists alike.
Overall, this revolutionary development represents a significant step forward for space exploration, offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study planets beyond our solar system and potentially uncover secrets hidden deep within our universe.