Space, this infinite universe which fascinates us as much as it worries us. Observing the stars and planets doesn’t just feed our curiosity; it’s also vital for understanding where we are in the cosmos and predicting what might happen to us. This is where the mission comes in NEOWISE of the NASAa telescope launched to keep an eye on celestial objects that might cross our path.
An adventure called WISE: how it all began
In December 2009NASA sent the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). His mission? Scan the sky in infrared with state-of-the-art instruments, much more efficient than those before. The goal was to map the entire sky in just seven months, to better understand the universe and spot things that could cause us problems.
But now, a few months after the launch, woes! A major technical problem arises: a cooling problem threatens its long-distance observation capabilities. Plus enough liquid to keep instruments cool and avoid thermal interference. As a result, NASA had to review its plans.
WISE becomes NEOWISE: when the mission changes course
Faced with technical problems, the mission is renamed NEOWISE in 2013. The systems are relaunched with a new priority: tracking objects hurtling toward the heart of the solar system. Thanks to its flair for detecting infrared signals (those emitted by bodies heated by the sun), NEOWISE has established itself as a key player in monitoring threatening asteroids and comets.
The telescope did its job until November 2024date on which it lost its orbit following intense solar activity. It disintegrated safely in our atmosphere, ending ten years of good and loyal service.
Impressive figures: NEOWISE in action
During his career, NEOWISE has achieved 1,45 million measurements on more than 44,000 objects around us in the solar system. On these finds, more than 3000 objects were cataloged as “near-Earth”, including 215 new specimens identified thanks to him. These data have enriched our knowledge of the trajectories and characteristics of potential threats from the sky.
The NEOWISE mission has been a pillar of the planetary defense system for more than a decade. It has not only boosted our cosmic knowledge but also strengthened our ability to anticipate what could come from deep space.
-And now ?
With NEOWISE now out of the game, all eyes are on its replacement: the NEO Surveyor, scheduled to take off after 2027. This new telescope promises even more advances to keep our planet safe from celestial dangers.
Nicola Fox, Associate Administrator in the Space Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, sums up NEOWISE’s legacy well: “This mission was an incredible success because it allowed us to improve our understanding of asteroids and comets potentially dangerous to the planet. Earth. Even if we are sad to see this great adventure come to an end, we are already looking forward to the future scientific discoveries that it offers a glimpse of.”
In short, what NEOWISE leaves behind is enormous. It represents not only a major technological advance but also a big step towards a future where we will be able to live more peacefully with what floats around us in the universe. Looking towards tomorrow with optimism and hope, it is obvious that each discovery paves the way towards an ever finer and more protective understanding of the cosmic world around us.
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