|
The Galaxy Evolution Explorer
Our universe is an amazing, infinite vastness, which continues to expand even at this second. As a result, there are billions of other galaxies like our own Milky Way, hidden in the blackness of space. But in April of 2003, NASA scientists, led by the California Institute of Technology, launched the Galaxy Evolution Explorer, or GALEX, to try to help us earthlings learn more about the progression of galaxies over time. Now, with this telescope, scientists can study many various galaxies that are millions of light years away, all for the purpose of answering one question: "How do galaxies grow and change over 10 billion years of cosmic history?"
GALEX orbits the earth every 94 minutes and journeys around 408,470 million miles each day. In its five years of service, the telescope has captured pictures of nearly half a billion different galaxies in ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light aids in the visibility of faint objects and allows scientists to decipher the chemical composition of stars within the galaxies. Then, scientists can learn how fast the stars are forming and where in the galaxy they are forming. GALEX has also been observing other objects, like comets.
This fascinating telescope had only been scheduled for a 29-month mission, but NASA enjoyed the program so much, GALEX's life was extended in 2006. However, shortly after honoring GALEX with a five-year anniversary, the telescope encountered a problem. On June 13, 2008, the telescope shut down due to an anomaly with its instrument processor. Fortunately, on July 1, a team of engineers was able to bring the telescope back to nominal working order.
|
|
