Revolutionary telescope will soon alter what we know of the universe | 24CA News

By Louise Edwards, Astrophysicist

I used to be completely honoured and delighted to present the eighth annual Dan McLennan Lecture in Astronomy this winter. Halifax, and Saint Mary’s University is the place I grew up, within the astronomical sense. My two years pursuing a Masters in Science supplied me with a long time lengthy friendships I nonetheless maintain pricey, and launched me to mentors I proceed to admire right this moment.

For the lecture, I made a decision to speak in regards to the synergy between ground-based and space-based astronomy. It is a crucial idea, and in addition lends us the liberty to discover two of essentially the most thrilling and bold initiatives trendy astronomy has given us: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).

If you observe astronomy or house news, you have doubtless been topic to the flood of beautiful, sharp and vibrant photos from the JWST: an array of objects from planets in our personal Solar System (and others) to magnified galaxies seen within the early levels of their formation.

The JWST is roughly the dimensions of a tennis courtroom, and we packaged it up right into a rocket and blasted it out past the Earth. Its delicate origami-sails unfolded throughout the month-long journey — out previous the Moon, over 1,000,000 kilometres away.

The JWST will be capable to research, in excruciating element, the formation and evolution of galaxies within the universe. The view provided is very refined and comes with distinctive decision within the tiny patches of sky that every JWST remark beholds.

Investigating darkish matter

At the identical time, to totally perceive the final nature of the universe, we’d like a mission that may survey huge swaths of house. This is the place the Legacy Survey of Space and Time is available in.

It is an bold mission that may survey your entire southern sky each few nights for 10 years, starting in 2024. The mission is housed throughout the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which features a brand-new telescope that has been constructed particularly to hold out this mission. The telescope’s main mirror is large, measuring 8.4m throughout and placing it within the class of right this moment’s largest telescopes. The telescope’s digital camera is record-breaking. The survey will discover billions of stars and galaxies, and outcome within the first motion-picture of the night time sky. 

One of the most important questions in regards to the normal nature of the universe that will likely be tackled by the LSST is: What is the character of darkish matter? You could have heard the time period darkish matter earlier than, it refers to stuff (matter) that we will inform exists in house, though it would not replicate or shine any gentle (it’s darkish).

This thriller materials was lengthy considered common stuff that did not give off any gentle — like, darkish planets or black holes. But, latest measurements have proven us {that a} extra cheap guess is that darkish matter is a few large assortment of tiny particles (sort of like electrons or protons) that do not readily reply to the devices we have invented.

The search is on. All world wide there are “Dark Matter Detectors” — making an attempt to catch these elusive particles, together with a big detector in Canada on the SNOLAB.

But thus far, nothing has turned up. The LSST will not detect any darkish matter particles straight, however as a result of the universe is made up of about 85 per cent darkish matter, a greater understanding of the dimensions, form and construction of the universe ought to assist us higher perceive the character of darkish matter — and will assist information the course for the place and the way the detectors we construct ought to be looking.   

Vera Rubin’s ground-breaking work

So, if we’ve not discovered any darkish matter but, why are astronomers so satisfied of its existence? 

For a very long time we weren’t. It took information — massive quantities of knowledge — to persuade astronomers that darkish matter was a viable concept.

One of essentially the most outstanding figures of twentieth century astronomy, Dr. Vera Rubin, spent many nights on massive telescopes within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties amassing this information: trying on the movement of stars in galaxies and realizing extra mass than might be seen was wanted to information the trail of the celebrities inside. 

Before Rubin’s work, the thought had surfaced, however the group was not satisfied. After her sensible and diligent work, the existence of darkish matter might now not be disregarded, and right this moment it’s basic to our understanding of the cosmos. So, it’s fairly becoming that the Observatory that’s looking for a deeper understanding of darkish matter be named after Vera C. Rubin, who supplied such compelling proof for its existence.

Dr. Rubin was additionally a pioneer for making a extra inclusive astronomy group, particularly for girls within the discipline. When I utilized to graduate faculty, I did not have to fret about the place to go that may let in girls [or Black people] however she did. When at Palomar Observatory, I noticed there was a girls’s washroom (for Rubin, there wasn’t).

When engaged on this lecture, I discovered one quote from Rubin to be notably inspiring: “Having a family and a career was very hard, but it’s do-able.” 

I want it was a extra generally proclaimed assertion. For over a decade I used to be consistently giving up social ties within the pursuit of the following step, and sometimes I nervous I used to be buying and selling in what I actually needed (to be a mum or dad) for what I’d labored so arduous for (to be an educational).

For me, it was tough, but in addition doable to spend money on a selected profession and have a wonderful household life. 

What a really magical night for me to have the ability to share my love of astronomy, the primary photos from the JWST and picture the longer term with LSST on the college that gave me a lot.

If it’s a clear night tonight, exit and have a look up on the numerous factors of sunshine above you. 

Spectacular.

*This episode was produced by Mary Lynk.