Physicists at Heriot-Watt University and Cambridge University have developed a groundbreaking technology that expands the possibilities in space exploration. This new system, known as an astrocomb, allows for the analysis of blue-green light emitted by stars, which can detect slight variations caused by orbiting exoplanets. The goal is to uncover previously unknown secrets of the universe and potentially discover the first Earth-like planet orbiting around a nearby sun-like star.
The astrocomb was originally limited to the green-red part of the light spectrum, but this new system developed by the UK team serves as a precision wavelength scale within this range. Dr. Samantha Thompson from Cambridge University expressed excitement over the potential for this new technology to allow for study of smaller planets with longer orbits. Heriot-Watt Professor Derryck Reid noted that it provides a continuous sequence of optical markers from ultraviolet to blue-green light.
This technology will be implemented on the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) being constructed in Chile’s Atacama Desert, which will have a 39-meter primary mirror and be the largest visible and infrared light telescope in the world. The UK team will also work on implementing astrocombs for telescopes in South Africa and Canary Islands. With its potential for significant discoveries, this new technology is an exciting prospect for researchers and scientists alike in the realm of space exploration.