Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Thursday 21 sepTember

Giant antennas in New Mexico search for cosmic discoveries

By SUSAN MONTOYA to see more examples of
BRYAN powerful jets of superfast
Associated Press particles propelled by
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. the energy of massive
(AP) — Employing an ar- black holes at the cen-
ray of giant telescopes ter of galaxies. This could
positioned in the New help in understanding
Mexico desert, astrono- how galaxies grow over
mers have started a time.The National Radio
massive surveying proj- Astronomy Observatory
ect aimed at producing in 2013 invited astrono-
the most detailed view mers from around the
ever made of such a world to submit ideas
large portion of space and suggestions for the
using radio waves emit- survey. Based on the
ted from throughout the recommendations, sci-
Milky Way and beyond. entists and engineers
The National Radio As- designed the survey and
tronomy Observatory ran a test in 2016. Ap-
announced the proj- proval for the full survey
ect this week, saying This Feb. 10, 2017 photo shows radio antennas that make up the Very Large Array astronomical was early granted this
the Very Large Array observatory are positioned on tracks on the Plains of San Augustin west of Socorro, N.M. year.The survey will in-
will make three scans Associated Press volve about 5,500 hours
of the sky that’s visible throughout the universe. which was initially con- work. of observing time. Data
from the scrubland of For example, the array ceived in the 1960s and Research efforts else- from the three separate
the San Augustin Plains. can peer through the built in the 1970s. The where search the galaxy scans will be combined
It is one of the best spots thick clouds of dust and antennas relied on their for signals or evidence of to produce the radio
on the planet to scan gas where stars are born. original electronics and extraterrestrials, but the images.The scanning
space, with 80 percent Scientists involved in the processing systems for New Mexico operation began Sept. 7 and the
of the Earth’s sky visible project say the results years until a recent over- would almost certainly rawe to researchers as
from the location.The ar- will provide valuable in- haul made the system get involved if signals quickly as the observa-
ray works like a camera. formation for astrophys- capable of producing are received, said Very tions are made.The sev-
But instead of collect- ics researchers. much higher resolution Large Array spokesman en-year project will not
ing light waves to make “In addition to what we images. Dave Finley.“I do think come at an additional
images, the telescopes think (the survey) will The work done at the when the time comes financial cost because
that look like big satel- discover, we undoubt- Very Large Array is simi- that they find a signal the array already has a
lite dishes receive radio edly will be surprised by lar to that of the Hubble that they think is the real $15 million annual bud-
waves emitted by cos- discoveries we aren’t Space Telescope — thing, the first phone call get for making obser-
mic explosions and oth- anticipating now,” making high-quality im- they will make will be to vations 24 hours a day
er interstellar phenome- project director Claire ages so scientists can us. They’ll want an im- for various scientific re-
non.Astronomers expect Chandler said in a state- better study objects in age of that region,” Fin- quests. More of that time
the images gathered by ment. “That is the lesson the universe and the ley said.Astronomers us- will now be dedicated
the array will allow them of scientific history and physics of how they ing the array also expect to the project.q
to detect in finer detail perhaps the most excit-
gamma ray bursts, su- this.”The survey is pos- Earth sweltered to 3rd hottest
ing part of a project like
pernovas and other cos-
mic events that visible- sible because of a major
light telescopes cannot at the Very Large Array, August, summer on record
technological upgrade
see due to dust present

CALL FOR OUR MODEL, GIRL & STRIPPERS By SETH BORENSTEIN which was a degree-and- through August, averaging
AP Science Writer a-half higher than the 20th 58.88 degrees (14.88 Cel-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Earth century average, but be- sius), behind 2016.
just sweated through the hind 2016 and 2015. Records go back to 1880.
third hottest August and The average temperature NOAA climate scientist
summer on record. for June through August Jake Crouch says even
The National Oceanic and was 61.47 degrees (16.41 though records weren’t
Tour to the Red Light Lipstixaruba@outlook.com Atmospheric Administra- Celsius). broken, it’s been warmer
District with a Private tion said Monday the globe So far the year to date has than 99 percent of the other
Guide & a FREE bottle last month averaged 61.5 edged out 2015 and is the months and a sign of long-
of wine... degrees (16.43 Celsius), second hottest January term climate change.q