New German telescope will illuminate the sun
A new German-built telescope called Gregor will help researchers observe the sun better than before, and will deliver images of the solar core. It's just been unveiled on Tenerife.
After 10 years of planning, Europe's largest telescope is now operational on Tenerife, off the coast of Spain. It will allow researchers to observe the sun in ways they were unable to with older, conventional telescopes.
Using conventional telescopes, it was impossible to observe the solar core. The telescope mirrors tended to overheat and fail in the glare, producing warm air that hampered vision.
It's hoped the new mega-telescope, Gregor, will change that and deliver images of unprecedented quality and resolution.
The telescope, which is made of the lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic, Zerodur, will be constantly cooled. And sea breezes on Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, will blow away any haze that could otherwise interfere with visibility.
Gregor will also be operated at night to seek out and study other stars in the universe that resemble our sun.
Understanding the sun
Astronomers say the new telescope will allow them to investigate even small-scale physical processes on the sun - up to a depth of 70 Kilometers. The powerful telescope will measure the magnetic field of the sun and its effect on the Earth.
The telescope facility, which cost about 10 million euros ($12.8 million), rests upon the Pico de Teide, Spain's highest peak.
The main mirror has a diameter of 1.5 meters, making the telescope Europe's largest. It is the third-largest telescope in the world.
Several German firms are tasked with running the facility, including the Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics in Freiburg, the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics in Potsdam, the Institute for Astrophysics in Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Katlenburg-Lindau.
Its project leader, Reiner Volkmer, says the sun is the "prototype of all stars."
"When we understand the sun, we'll understand other stars as well," Volkmer said.
GMT 15:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Tech faithful gather to worship at mecca of innovationGMT 18:23 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Top tech lobby joins legal battle to keep 'net neutrality'GMT 14:03 2018 Thursday ,04 January
High-tech ship en route to resume hunt for MH370GMT 13:19 2017 Sunday ,31 December
Apple apologizes for slowing iPhones, offers discounted batteriesGMT 11:28 2017 Friday ,29 December
Apple, Epson face French legal pressureGMT 14:03 2017 Thursday ,28 December
North Korea denies role in WannaCry ransomware attackGMT 15:00 2017 Sunday ,24 December
NY iced tea maker sees shares tripleGMT 08:09 2017 Saturday ,23 December
France to take bitcoin regulation debateMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor