NASA Kepler Mission - Essay Example

NASA Kepler Mission Since the invention of telescope by Galileo Galilee, scientists have focused on research aimed at knowing the earth and the general structure of the solar system better. These efforts by scientists have yielded new discoveries upon launch of new space technologies. It is because of the curiosity expressed by scientists that we know about the existence of the black spots on the surface of the sun. It is also due to this invaluable research that we know the various planets and celestial bodies that exist in the universe. To make these researches successful and discoveries possible, scientists have relied on the other forms of technologies, basically involving mechanical, chemical and computer engineering. These technologies have helped in the construction and powering of machines used in conducting the research in the space. Satellites are the most common forms of locomotives that navigate through space. Satellites are powered by chemical energy developed from combustion of nuclear and other chemical substances like hydrogen. The satellites sent to space consist of many structures that enable transmission of data to the control and study centers, where interpretation of the information takes place. Satellites have proved to be highly effective as they have revealed great processes and objects that happen and exist in the space. The satellites have also assisted in the detection of potential natural calamities threatening to hit the earth’s surface. NASA Kepler Mission is one of the latest satellites launched by NASA with intents to conduct further investigations of the space and the transpiring processes. The launching of the NASA Kepler Mission was in 2009, and named Kepler, after Johannes Kepler, a German Astronomer. The main intention of the NASA- Kepler Mission was to investigate the existence of any other habitable planet and unknown heavenly bodies by making the instrument travel within the Milky Way. Habitable zone or planet in the context of this mission means regions or places in the universe that have water molecules capable of supporting life (Pantozzi). The objectives set by NASA upon launching of the Kepler Mission into the universe included among others, to determine the number of the larger and terrestrial planets existing near the habitable zone found within the vast Milky Way. Another objective of the mission was to determine the sizes, shapes and distribution of the orbits of the new planets. The objectives also included determination of the number of the planets that exist in the form of the multiple star systems. Another objective of the mission was to determine any additional member planet of the already discovered solar system by use of other techniques. Another objective preceding the launching of the spacecraft was to determine the characteristics and properties of the stars that revolve around the planetary system. The investigated Milky Way. Image courtesy of NASA.Gov, 2011. Yaqoob mentions that the NASA Kepler Mission relies on various components mounted on the system to execute its intended purposes (4). Among the major components constituting this spacecraft include the space-based photometer that has an aperture of 0.95 meters, bandpass of 430-890nm FWHM and primary mirror measuring 1.4 meter in diameter. The space craft also consist of a dynamic range that can cover 9th to 16th magnitude stars, among others. The photometer helps in the detection and recording of the light variations during transits. The large field of view of about one hundred and five square degrees enhances the observation of the numerous stars. NASA.Gov indicates that the Kepler takes an entire mission period about 3.5 years focusing on the same field of the star while simultaneously and continuously monitoring variation in brightness of over 100000 stars. The large telescopic diameter of the Kepler Mission assists in the reduction of noises emanating from the photon counting statistics, and to ensure accurate measurement of every little changes in brightness during the transit of the earth-like planets. NASA.Gov cautions that the photometer has to be space based to produce the photometric precision required for accurate viewing of the earth like planets transiting and, to avoid interruptions triggered by the day-night changes, atmospheric perturbations and the seasonal cycles. With all the components operational, the Kepler Mission identifies one large space in the sky where it moves to conduct simultaneous measurement of the variation in brightness of more than 100000 surrounding stars in every 30 minutes. In the meantime as it measures variations in brightness, the instrument searches for tiny winks in the output of light every time a planet transits near any of its stars. This process depends on the size of the orbit of the specific planet and the type of star, and it lapses for about thirty minutes to half a day. The Kepler Mission works to detect the variations in brightness of any given stars as the nearing planet passes or transits in front of the given star. This process of detecting planets through transits entails what is known as the transit method of finding the planets (NASA.Gov). For a perfect transit to occur, the planetary system of the given star has to be in nearly perfect alignment with line of sight on the earth’s surface. Planets whose orbit size equalizes that of the earth stand a 1% chance of alignment to produce a transit (Sasselov 9). Image of the NASA Kepler Mission Telescope. Courtesy of NASA.Gov, 2011. Determining the size of a planet depends on the number of dips produced during the transit. Effective determination of the actual size and signal of a planet requires verification of at least three consecutive transits. NASA.Gov mentions that all transits produced by one planet have to indicate similar changes in brightness, occurring at the same time intervals. Upon the completion of the detection process, calculations of the orbit size of the given planet become possible by considering the time period taken for every single complete transit and the total mass of the focus star by use of the Kepler’s Third Law of planetary motion (Kasting 7). As observed by Griffin, determination of the size of the planet then becomes possible through consideration of the number of times that brightness of the star reduces and, the general size of the focus star (13). The determined orbital size and temperature of the focus star can then help in the calculation and determination of the characteristic temperature of the detected planet. Understanding the characteristic temperature of the detected planet provides a very key benchmark in determining the habitability of the given planet (Boss 11). Planets discovered to have moderate temperature similar to that of the earth can sustain life. According to Colorado.edu, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is the institution that controls and monitors the actions of the Kepler Mission. To collect data, LASP makes the spacecraft face the earth once in a month, to drop the scientific information to the NASA center. To come up with a conclusive report, the Kepler Mission scientists use the Spitzer Telescope and the ground based telescopes to review the data collected by the spacecraft. The Spitzer Telescope and the ground-based telescopes used by scientists in observing the data collected by the spacecraft become effective only during spring. The collected data and the observations made by the scientists help in validating candidate objects as either planets or other heavenly bodies. The release of the data collected for 3 months happens after the end of one year of the observation exercise. The Kepler Mission has proved to be very successful owing to the discovery and realization of various planets like objects in the external universe. According to NASA.Gov, the Kepler Mission helped in discovering the existence of other habitable zones in the universe, characterized with water molecules and possibility to sustain life. NASA.Gov adds that Kepler Mission has also facilitated discovery of more than a thousand new planets like objects. Ten of these discovered objects have sizes close to that of the earth, and orbits in the so called habitable zones of their focus star. As reported by the Daily Mail, Kepler-22b is the most recently discovered and confirmed life supporting planet with an orbit that lies within the habitable zone. This planet has a star whose characteristics are like that of the sun, and it has got a radius measuring 2.4 times that of the earth. NASA.Gov clarifies that the Kepler-22b planet is at 600 light years away from the earth and that it takes an average of 290 days to revolve around its focus star. In addition, NASA.Gov reiterates that the star hosting Kepler-22b shares the same class of the G-type as our sun. This star appears smaller and cooler when compared to the subject characteristics of our sun. NASA.Gov further discloses that by 2011, Kepler Mission had facilitated the discovery of 54 candidate planets lying within the habitable zone. The possible structure of the solar system. A view of the Kepler-22b and other habitable zones. Courtesy of NASA.Gov, 2011. According to NASA.Gov, the Kepler mission has led to the discovery of other new planets marking 89% increase in total discoveries. The total discovered potential planets within the habitable zone as at the December, 2011 observation stood at 2326, with high expectations of more discoveries. According to NASA.Gov, 207 of the total 2326 candidates are approximately the size of the earth. 680 out of the total candidate planets are larger than the Earth. About 1181 of the total candidate planets, measure approximately the size of Neptune. NASA.Gov adds that 203 candidate planets are in the size of Jupiter as the remaining 55 measuring bigger sizes than Jupiter. As reported by Johnson, Kepler Mission has led astronomers to the discovery of the Kepler-47 system, which consists of two orbiting stars that shadow each other every 7.5days from the Earth. According Johnson, one of the stars resembles our sun in size but 84% brighter than the sun. The other star is one third smaller than sun and, less than one percent brighter than our sun. Kepler-47b and Kepler 47c are the known planets that orbit the two stars in the Kepler-47 system. A view of Kepler-47 system. Courtesy of http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/08/29/nasas-kepler-space-telescope-finds-multiple-planets-orbiting-two-suns-in-the-constellation-cygnus/ The NASA Kepler Mission has had immense significances to the life of human beings living on the surface of the earth. The Kepler Mission has improved humans’ understanding of the exo-planetary system and the study of variability and stellar seismology. According to Colorado.edu, the invention and eventual launching of the Kepler Mission in 2009 has provided additional employment opportunities to a section of American citizens. Coloradoo.edu mentions that the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) exercise the mandate of controlling and monitoring the operations of the Kepler Mission. Colorado.edu adds that LASP trains students who eventually secure employment opportunities to control and track performances of the spacecraft. The control scientists at the LASP center contacts the spacecraft twice a week to monitor and inspect the onboard systems that include batteries, voltages, temperatures, sensors and positioning control as well as uploading commands. The work that have be done by the Kepler Mission has triggered yet another innovation intended to produce Terrestrial Planet Finder telescope to help confirm life suitability of the candidate planets realized within the habitable zones (Colorado.edu). Proposed Terrestrial Planet Finder. Courtesy of Daily Mail, 2012. Works cited Boss, Alan. The Crowded Universe: The Race to Find Life beyond Earth. New York: Basic Books, 2011. Print. Boss, Alan. The Crowded Universe: The Search for Living Planets. New York: Basic Books, 2009. Print. Colorado.edu. NASA’s Kepler planet-hunting mission controlled by CU-Boulder students is extended for 4 years. 2012. Web. . Daily Mail. We are a universe crowded with life: NASA astronomers discover ANOTHER blue planet... and there could be life there. 2011. Web. < http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2070388/Exoplanet-Kepler-22b-NASA-Kepler-Mission-finds-habitable-blue-planet.html>. Griffin, Michael D. Leadership in Space: Selected Speeches of NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, May 2005-October 2008. Washington D.C: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, 2008. Print. Jonson, Michele. NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope finds multiple planets orbiting two suns in the constellation Cygnus. 2012. Web. < http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/08/29/nasas-kepler-space-telescope-finds-multiple-planets-orbiting-two-suns-in-the-constellation-cygnus/>. Kasting, James F. How to Find a Habitable Planet. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010. Print. NASA.Gov. Kepler: NASAs first mission capable of finding Earth-size and smaller planets around other stars. 2011. Web. . NASA.Gov. NASAs Kepler Mission Confirms Its First Planet in Habitable Zone of Sun-like Star. 2011. Web. < http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepscicon-briefing.html>. Pantozzi, Jill. Has NASA’s Kepler Mission Found Our Earth 2? 2011. Web. < http://www.themarysue.com/nasa-kepler-mission/>. Sasselov, Dimitar D. The Life of Super-Earths: How the Hunt for Alien Worlds and Artificial Cells Will Revolutionize Life on Our Planet. New York: Basic Books, 2012. Print. Yaqoob, Tahir. Exoplanets and Alien Solar Systems. Baltimore, MD: New Earth Labs, 2011. Print. Read More