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Published on: May 29, 2019
Astronomy and the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite
1Center for EUV Astrophysics, University of California, Berkeley 94720, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 7, 1994
Summary
The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave band, once deemed unusable for astronomy due to interstellar medium opacity, is now revealing distant cosmic sources. The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission has successfully surveyed the sky, expanding our understanding of the universe.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Cosmic exploration
Background:
- The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave band (100-912 angstroms) was historically considered inaccessible for astronomical observations.
- This inaccessibility was attributed to the opacity of the interstellar medium, which absorbs light at these wavelengths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of the EUV wave band for astronomical surveys.
- To explore the universe using the previously overlooked EUV spectrum.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing data from the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUE) satellite, launched in June 1992.
- Conducting a sky survey within the 100-912 angstrom wavelength range.
Main Results:
- The interstellar medium exhibits significant inhomogeneity in density and ionization, with the Sun located in a low-opacity region.
- The EUE mission detected a diverse array of astronomical sources, including extragalactic objects, at significant distances.
- Studies in the EUV band are actively contributing to a deeper comprehension of the universe's composition.
Conclusions:
- The EUV wave band is a viable and valuable spectrum for astronomical research.
- The EUE mission has demonstrated the effectiveness of EUV surveys in discovering and studying cosmic objects.
- Ongoing EUV studies promise to significantly advance our knowledge of the cosmos.
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