200 most important Astronomy topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023

The TESS Mission

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a NASA mission launched in April 2018, with the aim of discovering new exoplanets beyond our solar system. TESS is an advanced spacecraft designed to scan the skies and identify tiny dips in the brightness of stars, which could indicate the presence of orbiting exoplanets.

How Does TESS Work?

TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is a NASA mission launched in April 2018 with the aim of discovering new exoplanets beyond our solar system. It is an advanced spacecraft designed to scan the skies and identify tiny dips in the brightness of stars, which could indicate the presence of orbiting exoplanets.

TESS works by observing the brightness of stars in different regions of the sky. It uses four wide-field cameras that scan the sky for 27 days at a time, covering a total of 24 degrees in both the northern and southern hemispheres. During each observation period, TESS stares at one section of the sky, taking images every 30 minutes. This allows it to detect exoplanets that orbit close to their host stars, known as hot Jupiters.

When a planet passes in front of its host star, it blocks a small fraction of the star's light, causing a dip in the brightness of the star. TESS can detect these dips, allowing astronomers to identify the presence of exoplanets and estimate their size and orbit. This method is known as the transit method.

TESS is designed to detect exoplanets that are relatively close to their host stars and have short orbital periods, typically less than 30 days. This is because the transit method is most effective for planets that pass in front of their stars frequently. TESS is also capable of detecting exoplanets that are larger than Earth and up to the size of Jupiter.

The data collected by TESS is sent back to Earth, where it is analyzed by astronomers. They use a variety of techniques to identify exoplanets and confirm their existence. This includes analyzing the light curve of the star, which shows how its brightness changes over time, and looking for changes in the star's spectrum, which can indicate the presence of a companion planet.

One of the challenges of the TESS mission is dealing with the large amount of data it generates. Each image taken by TESS contains around 6,000 stars, which means that there are millions of stars to analyze during each observation period. To manage this data, TESS uses a sophisticated data processing system that can quickly identify potential exoplanet candidates and flag them for further analysis.

Discoveries Made by TESS

Since its launch in 2018, TESS has made significant contributions to our understanding of exoplanets and our place in the universe. Using its advanced technology and sophisticated data processing system, TESS has discovered over 1,200 exoplanet candidates in its first year of operation alone.

One of the most exciting discoveries made by TESS was the TOI 700 system, located about 100 light-years away. This system has three exoplanets, including one in the habitable zone of the star, where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist on the surface. This discovery is particularly significant because it represents one of the first potentially habitable exoplanets identified by TESS.

In addition to discovering potentially habitable exoplanets, TESS has also identified a number of other interesting objects in our galaxy. It has detected supernovae, variable stars, and even comets. TESS has also observed distant galaxies and black holes, providing valuable data for astronomers studying the evolution of the universe.

One of the most exciting aspects of TESS's discoveries is the sheer variety of exoplanets it has identified. TESS has found exoplanets that range from small rocky planets, similar in size and composition to Earth, to massive gas giants, similar in size to Jupiter. Some of the exoplanets discovered by TESS are located in binary star systems, where two stars orbit around each other.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of TESS's discoveries is the fact that many of the exoplanets detected by the mission are unlike anything in our own solar system. For example, TESS has discovered exoplanets with orbits that are highly elliptical, meaning that they are stretched out into elongated shapes. TESS has also found exoplanets that orbit extremely close to their host stars, where temperatures can reach thousands of degrees.

Another interesting aspect of TESS's discoveries is the fact that many of the exoplanets are located in star systems that are very different from our own. For example, TESS has discovered exoplanets that are part of star systems with multiple stars, where two or more stars orbit around each other. TESS has also found exoplanets that orbit around stars that are very different from our own sun, such as red dwarfs, which are much smaller and cooler.

In addition to discovering exoplanets and other objects in our galaxy, TESS has also provided valuable data for astronomers studying the universe as a whole. TESS has observed a range of phenomena, from supernovae to distant galaxies, providing insights into the evolution and structure of the universe.

What's Next for TESS?

TESS has already made significant contributions to our understanding of exoplanets and the universe as a whole. However, there is still much more to discover. TESS is expected to continue its mission for at least two more years, during which it will survey 85% of the sky, covering both the northern and southern hemispheres. This will allow astronomers to discover even more exoplanets and study their properties in greater detail.

During its extended mission, TESS will focus on several key areas of research. One of these areas is the study of exoplanet atmospheres. By analyzing the way that light passes through the atmosphere of an exoplanet as it transits its host star, astronomers can learn about the composition of the atmosphere and potentially identify the presence of gases such as oxygen, which could indicate the presence of life.

To study exoplanet atmospheres, TESS will be working in tandem with other telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is set to launch in 2021. The JWST is a powerful infrared telescope that will be able to study the atmospheres of exoplanets identified by TESS, providing valuable insights into their composition and potential habitability.

In addition to studying exoplanet atmospheres, TESS will continue to search for potentially habitable exoplanets. These are planets that are located in the habitable zone of their host star, where temperatures are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface. The discovery of potentially habitable exoplanets is of great interest to astronomers, as it could provide clues about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Another area of research for TESS is the study of exoplanet systems. TESS has already discovered several exoplanet systems that are very different from our own solar system, and there is still much to learn about these systems. By studying the architecture of exoplanet systems, astronomers can learn about the formation and evolution of planets and gain insights into the processes that shape the universe.

In addition to its scientific goals, TESS is also helping to pave the way for future missions. One of the most exciting upcoming missions is the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), which is set to launch in the mid-2020s. WFIRST is a powerful space telescope that will be able to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena, from exoplanets to dark matter.

TESS and WFIRST will work together to discover and study exoplanets and other objects in our galaxy and beyond. By combining their capabilities, these telescopes will be able to provide a more complete picture of the universe and help us to better understand our place within it.