The University of Arizona scientists are spearheading a new era in space observation with their groundbreaking Nautilus Space Observatory project.
A team of scientists from The University of Arizona aims to usher in a new era for space observatories.
The new observatory, currently in the concept phase, would leverage a breakthrough in diffractive lens technology that could drastically cut the cost of developing powerful lenses., Apai explained that this could allow Nautilus’ instruments to be up to 100 times more sensitive than those of JWST.Unlike NASA’s Webb telescope, Nautilus would comprise several units that would fly as part of a network in Earth’s orbit.
“Most importantly to me,” Apai continued, “ would provide the required sensitivity to probe the atmospheres of about a thousand transiting exo-Earth candidates. This is almost a hundred times larger sample than any other space telescope hopes to achieve.”– the term used to describe planets outside our solar system.
“Given how complex Earth is, and in how many ways other broadly Earth-like planets with alien ecosystems may differ from Earth, I strongly believe that we need to observe a large sample of these worlds to be able to confidently identify and understand those that host life,” Apai said, adding that the required dataset would be hundreds of Earth-like exoplanets.
Traditional mirrors use refraction to focus light, meaning they change the direction of light as it passes from one medium to another. Diffractive lenses use diffraction, which allows light to bend around obstacles and corners. Scientists achieve this by arranging a pattern of steps and angles on a glass lens.Daniel Apai / University of Arizona
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