Exploring the Vastness of Space: The Missions of CNEOS and TESS
1. Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS): The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) is a NASA initiative that focuses on the study of near-Earth objects (NEOs). These are celestial bodies, such as asteroids and comets, that come close to Earth's orbit. CNEOS provides a platform that showcases close approaches to Earth by these NEOs. The data available on their platform spans from 1900 A.D. to 2200 A.D., offering insights into both past and potential future close encounters. The primary goal is to monitor these objects for any potential threat they might pose to our planet. The center also collaborates with NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office and provides valuable data for the WISE/NEOWISE missions.
2. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS): TESS is an MIT-led NASA mission that conducts an all-sky survey for transiting exoplanets. These are planets that pass in front of their host star, causing a temporary drop in the star's brightness. TESS monitors over 200,000 stars for such transits, aiming to identify planets of all sizes. Launched on April 18, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, TESS has a unique observing strategy. It tiles the sky with 26 segments, covering the southern hemisphere in its first year and the northern hemisphere in the second. The mission is equipped with four identical cameras, each covering a 24×90 degree strip of the sky. TESS is expected to discover thousands of exoplanets of various sizes around different star types. A significant commitment of TESS is to deliver 50 planets of size less than 4 Earth radii with measured masses to the scientific community.
Conclusion: Both CNEOS and TESS play crucial roles in expanding our understanding of the universe. While CNEOS focuses on the immediate vicinity of our planet, monitoring potential threats from space, TESS broadens the horizon by searching for exoplanets across the sky. These missions remind us of the vastness of space and the endless possibilities it holds.
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