3 Technological Advances That Transformed Our Perception of Space
I may not be a scientist (let’s face it, I’m far from it), but an introductory astronomy course in college piqued my interest and raised some inquiries about the wonders of the vast universe. Five years ago, while sitting in a lecture hall absorbing knowledge about galaxies and dark matter, I was fascinated by the extensive understanding we have about space. It’s an entire cosmos beyond our world, expanding infinitely outward. At 19 years old, my mind struggled to grasp the enormity of this based only on textbook readings and computer labs.
Even that college laboratory experience couldn’t have prepared me for the incredible technology that enables us to observe space, a topic recently covered in the brand-new series Pop Mech Explains the Universe. In this series, aimed at elucidating the mysteries of the cosmos, Associate News Editor Jackie Appel astounded me with stories about the systems, detectors, and processes that scientists employ to make space visible to us here on Earth.
Here are some of the captivating innovations that, as Jackie describes, forever altered our perception—and my own thoughts—about space:
Vibrant Cosmos
My college astronomy textbook contained captivating, intricate images of the universe that seemed almost otherworldly. Little did I know, these pictures were initially colorless and almost imperceptible. Jackie reveals in Pop Mech Explains the Universe that these images are captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest infrared telescope in space. Scientists use a straightforward beautification process to transform these raw images into stunning final products. By taking multiple images with different filters to capture specific molecules, such as oxygen, the JWST produces many images that are then combined and colorized based on wavelength. The result is a breathtaking composite photo that brings deep space to life.
Discover more about the intriguing process behind the captivating images of deep space captured by the JWST.
Visualizing Black Holes
One of the most captivating subjects in astronomy is the study of enigmatic black holes. For years, these cosmic phenomena remained invisible to scientists as they emit no light. However, a monumental telescopic project launched in 2009, known as the Event Horizon Telescope, finally brought black holes into view for us on Earth. Through a global network of smaller telescopes spanning from Hawaii to Antarctica, scientists achieved the necessary angular resolution to observe and image a black hole. After years of processing, the first image was unveiled to the world in 2019.
View this episode of Pop Mech Explains the Universe to delve into the remarkable achievement of photographing a black hole.
Detecting Gravitational Waves
To be frank, gravitational waves were as perplexing to me as ocean waves. Understanding what they are and how scientists observe them was truly mind-boggling. Gravitational waves, produced by massive objects moving through spacetime, cause space to stretch and compress. Jackie likened this phenomenon to ocean waves and explained how scientists detect these waves
Thanks to the compression effect of a gravitational wave, the distance between us and a distant star actually changes when the wave passes through. This new information intrigued me as I pondered how we could observe these ripples in space. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) plays a crucial role in detecting these waves using its miles-long L-shaped detectors.
Jackie elaborated on the process, explaining that a laser within the tubes is split, reflects off mirrors, and ultimately returns to sensors at the center of the ‘L’. When gravitational waves travel through the 2.5-mile-long arms of the detector, the lasers become unsynchronized, providing a measurement of the waves. LIGO made its first gravitational wave observation in 2015.
I discovered that LIGO is not the only detector in existence, as other gravitational wave detectors have been constructed worldwide, such as Virgo in Italy and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA) in Japan. For those intrigued by gravitational waves, watching this episode will offer more insight into the technology used to measure spacetime ripples.
If you share my fascination with space technology, you can delve deeper into this subject and more by exploring Pop Mech Explains the Universe, which covers everything from stars and planets to various scientific discoveries. Join Pop Mech Pro today to access comprehensive stories, videos, guides, and the latest updates on our expanding knowledge of the universe and beyond.
