NEOWISE

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Context:

• Scientists and engineers in Southern California got an exclusive glimpse at a recent snapshot of Fornax, a constellation of stars in the Southern Hemisphere.
• NEOWISE, which previously orbited at 310 miles, is now at an altitude of 217 miles above Earth's surface due to increased solar activity.

What is NEOWISE?

• NEOWISE stands for Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Initially launched as WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) in December 2009.
• The primary aim was to map the sky in infrared wavelengths.
• After completing its primary mission, WISE was reactivated in 2013 as NEOWISE to identify and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs).

The NEOWISE Telescope

• The NEOWISE telescope has made numerous contributions to astronomy.
• It has discovered thousands of new objects in space, including asteroids and comets, many of which pose potential threats to Earth.
• The data collected has been invaluable for scientists, helping them understand the size, composition, and trajectories of these celestial bodies.
• However, NASA recently announced the closure of the NEOWISE mission due to the aging state of the telescope.
• It had been operational for more than a decade, far exceeding its expected lifespan.
• The closure marks the end of an era, but the data and discoveries from NEOWISE will continue to be analyzed and hold significance in future research.

Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)

• One of the most remarkable discoveries of the NEOWISE mission was Comet C/2020 F3, commonly known as Comet NEOWISE.
• This comet became visible to the naked eye in July 2020, providing a stunning spectacle for skywatchers around the world.

Key Facts about Comet NEOWISE:

• Visibility: The comet was visible in the northern hemisphere and could be observed with binoculars or a small telescope, and in some cases, even unaided.
• Tail: Like other comets, NEOWISE developed a bright tail composed of gas and dust. This tail could stretch out to millions of miles.
• Survival: NEOWISE survived its closest approach to the Sun on July 3, 2020. Many comets disintegrate when they come close to the Sun, but NEOWISE's resilience added to its allure.

Significance of Comet NEOWISE

• Educational: The appearance of Comet NEOWISE offered an excellent opportunity for educational outreach and public engagement in astronomy.
• Scientific: The scientific community benefited from the data captured during its passage. Observations of NEOWISE helped scientists study the composition and behavior of comets.

KNOW ABOUT TYPES OF ORBITS: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/types-of-orbits-explained

FOR DETAILS ABOUT DIFFERENT TELESCOPES VISIT- IAS GYAN DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS WEBSITE- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs

Reference

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/nasa-closes-wise-aging-eyes-orbiting-telescope-9507802/

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/neowise

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sci.news%2Fastronomy%2Fcomet-neowise-08624.html&psig=AOvVaw3OkbH2ofKqbYfwFC2l_z1t&ust=1723617353888000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCJD7oZmt8YcDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements: NEOWISE is a space telescope launched by NASA to survey and track near-Earth objects (NEOs). The mission is named after the NEOWISE asteroid discovered during its survey. NEOWISE uses infrared imaging to detect and analyze comets and asteroids. Which of the above-given statements is/are correct: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1,2 and 3 Answer: c