CAJ 5: The Flower-shaped Star Shade.

The Kepler Mission is very important in detecting earth-like planets but it is not capable of studying the features of the planet in more detail. As the light of the star is too intense to analyze the orbiting planet. It’s  challenging to observe a planet orbiting another star, because the bigger the distance the paler and dimmer the image. The star is too bright and the planet too close to the star. Even though the atmosphere that would smear the light is not a problem in space (as there is no atmosphere) the light scatter and the diffraction in the telescope are still problems that need to be addressed.


There are many suggestions to resolve this problems but the most obvious and promising one is the flower-shaped star shade. This is an occulting device that blocks the starlight and thus it can not even enter the optical path.One of the major advantages of the star shade is that this construction is feasible with existing technology.  This device helps the telescope to achieve a much more detailed image of the terrestrial bodies around the star. In order to minimize the diffracted light, the distance between the telescope and the star shade must be around 40.000 kilometers. The star shade must be approximately 50 meters in diameter and the optic of the telescope diffraction limited and at least 1 meter in diameter to achieve the deepest shadow.

The star shade and the telescope would be one spacecraft and only in space they would separate and move away from each other. In order to receive the best results possible , the star shade is equipped with small thrusters that help to remain in position while observing the bodies around the star in more detail. The form of the star shade is important. Without the “leafs” around it, the light waves would still be too strong to achieve a detailed image of the planets around it. Scientists worked on this star shade tirelessly, for a long time. After numerous mathematical calculations and several prototypes, they suggested this shape, as it helps to control the fraction of the light.

This invention will help us to discover and analyze planets for liquid water and oxygen. It will help the telescopes to photograph major features of the chosen planets, like oceans or mountains. Another important advantage of this invention is that it is within the budgetary scope of NASA and it is within the reach of existing technology.


http://newworlds.colorado.edu/info/documents/CashNatureJuly2006.pdf

http://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_kasdin_the_flower_shaped_starshade_that_might_help_us_detect_earth_like_planets?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=awesm-bookmarklet&awesm=on.ted.com_c08UP&utm_medium=on.ted.com-facebook-share&utm_campaign=#