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Encyclopedia > Terrestrial Planet Finder
Terrestrial Planet Finder - Infrared interferometer concept
Terrestrial Planet Finder - Infrared interferometer concept

The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) is a plan by NASA for a telescope system that would be capable of detecting extrasolar terrestrial planets. Congressional spending limits under House Resolution 20 passed on January 31, 2007 by the U.S. House of Representatives and February 14 by the U.S. Senate have all but cancelled the program. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1900x1425, 138 KB) Terrestrial Planet Finder - Infrared interferometer concept source: http://photojournal. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1900x1425, 138 KB) Terrestrial Planet Finder - Infrared interferometer concept source: http://photojournal. ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... 50 cm refracting telescope at Nice Observatory. ... Any planet is an extremely faint light source compared to its parent star. ... An extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, is a planet beyond the Solar System. ... The inner planets, their sizes to scale. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ...


In May 2002, NASA chose two TPF mission architecture concepts for further study and technology development. Each would use a different means to achieve the same goal—to block the light from a parent star in order to see its much smaller, dimmer planets. That technology challenge has been likened to finding a firefly near the beam of a brilliant searchlight from far away. Additional goals of the mission would include characterizing the surfaces and atmospheres of newfound planets, and looking for the chemical signatures of life. In May 2004, both architectures were approved. This article is about the astronomical object. ... For the TV show, see Firefly (TV series). ... Edisons classical searchlight cart. ... Atmosphere is the general name for a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass. ...


The two planned architectures were:

  • Infrared astronomical interferometer (TPF-I): Multiple small telescopes on a fixed structure or on separated spacecraft floating in precision formation would simulate a much larger, very powerful telescope. The interferometer would utilize a technique called nulling to reduce the starlight by a factor of one million, thus enabling the detection of the very dim infrared emission from the planets.
  • Visible Light Coronagraph (TPF-C): A large optical telescope, with a mirror three to four times bigger and at least 10 times more precise than the Hubble Space Telescope, would collect starlight and the very dim reflected light from the planets. The telescope would have special optics to reduce the starlight by a factor of one billion, thus enabling astronomers to detect the faint planets.

NASA and JPL were supposed to issue calls for proposals seeking input on the development and demonstration of technologies to implement the two architectures, and on scientific research relevant to planet finding. Launch of TPF-C is anticipated to occur around 2014, and TPF-I may launch by 2020. Image of two girls in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. ... Diagram showing a possible layout for an astronomical interferometer, with the mirrors laid out in a parabolic arrangement (similar to the shape of a conventional telescope mirror). ... Categories: Stub ... An example image from SOHO - NASA A coronagraph is a telescopic attachment designed specifically to block out the harsh, direct light from a star, so that nearby objects can be resolved without burning out the telescopes optics. ... -1... The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in La Cañada Flintridge, near Los Angeles, California, USA, builds and operates unmanned spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ...


According to NASA's 2007 budget documentation, released on 2006-02-06[1], the project was deferred indefinitely [2]. In June 2006 funding for the TPF was provided along with the long-sought mission to Europa, a moon of Jupiter that may harbor extraterrestrial life [3].-1... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Atmospheric characteristics Atmospheric pressure 1 µPa Oxygen 100% Europa (ew-roe-pÉ™, IPA:  ; Greek Ευρώπη) is a moon of the planet Jupiter. ... The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, currently used by the SETI project in the search for extraterrestrial life Extraterrestrial life is life that may exist and originate outside the planet Earth, the only place in the universe currently known to support life. ...


The European Space Agency, ESA, is considering a similar mission, called Darwin. ESA redirects here. ... Darwin is a proposed European Space Agency (ESA) mission designed to directly detect Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars, and search for evidence of life on these planets. ...

Contents

Top 100 TPF target stars

[1]

Rank Name Constellation Distance (ly) Spectral
type		 Known
planets
1 Alpha Centauri Cen 4.3 G2V  
2 Alpha Centauri B Cen 4.3 K1V  
3 Tau Ceti Cet 12 G8V  
4 Achird Cas 19 G3V  
5 Beta Hydri Hyi 24 G2V  
6 Delta Pavonis Pav 20 G8V  
7 Tabit Ori 26 F6V  
8 Gamma Leporis Lep 29 F7V  
9 Epsilon Eridani Eri 10 K2V 1
10 Keid Eri 16 K1V  
11 Zeta Tucanae Tuc 28 F9V  
12 Zavijava Vir 36 F9V  
13 Beta Comae Berenices Com 30 G0V  
14 Gamma Pavonis Pav 30 F6V  
15 Iota Persei Per 34 G0V  
16 Epsilon Indi Ind 12 K5V  
17 Gamma Serpentis Ser 36 F6V  
18 Alsafi Dra 19 K0V  
19 Theta Persei Per 37 F7V  
20 61 Virginis Vir 28 G6V  
21 Upsilon Andromedae And 44 F8V 3
22 Kappa Ceti Cet 30 G5V  
23 Iota Piscium Psc 47 F7V  
24 10 Tucanae Tuc   F9IV  
25 HD 102365 Cen 30 G3V  
26 Zeta Doradus Dor 38 F7V  
27 Lambda Aurigae Aur 41 G1IV  
28 Asellus Primus Boö 47 F7V  
29 Psi Capricorni Cap 48 F5V  
30 Alchiba Crv 48 F2V  
31 Alpha Mensae Men 33 G5V  
32 Sigma Boötis Boö 50 F2V  
33 Eta Leporis Lep 49 F1V  
34 Beta Trianguli Australus TrA 40 F2III  
35 Xi Pegasi Peg 53 F7V  
36 HD 84117 Hya   G0V  
37 47 Ursae Majoris UMa 46 G1V 2
38 I Carinae Car 53 F2IV  
39 Nu Phoenicis Phe 49 F8V  
40 111 Tauri Tau   F8V  
41 61 Ursae Majoris UMa 31 G8V  
42 Mu Arae Ara 50 G3IV-V 4
43 G Lupi Lup   F5IV-V  
44 Phi2 Ceti Cet 51 F7IV-V  
45 58 Ophiuchi Oph 57 F7V  
46 Tau6 Eridani Eri 58 F3V  
47 HD 147513 Sco 42 G5V 1
48 Eta Corvi Crv 59 F2V  
49 HD 5015 Cas   F8V  
50 Psi5 Aurigae Aur 54 G0V  
51 72 Herculis Her   G0V  
52 τ PsA PsA 61 F6V  
53 6 Ceti Cet   F5V  
54 20 Leonis Minoris LMi 49 G3Va  
55 HD 219134 Cas 21 K3V  
56 15 Leonis Minoris LMi   G0.5Va  
57 Zeta1 Reticuli Ret 39 G2.5V  
58 58 Eridani Eri 43 G3V  
59 Chi Cancri Cnc 59 F6V  
60 110 Herculis Her   F6V  
61 59 Virginis Vir   G0Vs  
62 18 Scorpii Sco 46 G1V  
63 55 Cnc Cnc 40 G8V 4
64 HD 104304 Vir   G9IV  
65 51 Pegasi Peg 48 G2.5V 1
66 45 Boötis Boö 64 F5V  
67 Omicron Aquilae Aqu 63 F8V  
68 74 Orionis Ori   F5IV-V  
69 Iota Horologii Hor 51 G0V 1
70 Rijl al Awwa Vir 61 F2III  
71 Alpha Chamaeleontis Cha 63 F5III  
72 HD 192310 Cap 29 K0V  
73 Pi1 Ursae Majoris UMa 46 G1.5Vb  
74 Eta Crucis Cru 64 F2III  
75 HD 207129 Cyg   G0V  
76 23 Camelopardalis Cam   F8V  
77 Nu2 Lupi Lup   G4V  
78 17 Cygni Cyg   F7V  
79 40 Leonis Leo   F6IV  
80 HD 53705 Aur   G3V  
81 HD 55575 Lyn   G0V  
82 q1 Eridani Eri 57 F9V 1
83 HD 65907 Car   G0V  
84 12 Ophiuchi Oph   G0V  
85 Gamma Doradus Dor 66 F4III  
86 HD 25457 Eri   F5V  
87 Gliese 570 Lib 19 K4Ve  
88 HD 33564 Cep   F6V  
89 Kappa Reticuli Ret   F5IV-V  
90 22 Lyncis Lyn   F6V  
91 I Puppis Pup   F0IV  
92 HD 212330 Ind   G3IV  
93 HD 91324 Vel   F6V  
94 71 Orionis Ori   F6V  
95 Lambda Arae Ara 71 F3IV  
96 Psi1 Draconis Dra 72 F5IV-V  
97 Gliese 777 Cyg 59 G6IV 2
98 HD 172051 Sgr   G5V  
99 HD 4391 Phe   G1V  
100 Pi Mensae Men 67 G1IV 1

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A light year, abbreviated ly, is the distance light travels in one year: roughly 9. ... In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based initially on photospheric temperature and its associated spectral characteristics, and subsequently refined in terms of other characteristics. ... Alpha Centauri (α Cen / α Centauri) is the brightest star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ... Alpha Centauri (α Cen / α Centauri) is the brightest star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ... Tau Ceti (τ Cet / τ Ceti) is a star commonly mentioned by science fiction authors since it is similar to the Sun in mass and spectral type in addition to being relatively close to us. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... Eta Cassiopeiae (η Cas / η Cassiopeiae) is a star system 19. ... Cassiopeia is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen. ... Beta Hydri is a star about 24. ... Hydrus (Latin for Hydra, also referred to as male Hydra or little Hydra) is a minor southern constellation. ... Delta Pavonis (δ Pav / δ Pavonis) is a star about 19. ... Pavo, being Latin for Peacock, is a southern constellation. ... Pi3 Orionis or Pi-3 Orionis (π3 Ori / π3 Orionis) is the brightest star in the lions hide (or shield) that Orion is holding. ... Orion (IPA: ), a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known and most conspicuous in the sky. ... Gamma Leporis (γ Lep / γ Leporis) is a multiple star system which is located at a distance of about 29 light-years from Earth and consists of 2 or 3 stars: Gamma Leporis A, Gamma Leporis B and possibly Gamma Leporis C. Gamma Leporis lies in the south central part of the... Lepus (IPA: , Latin: ) is a constellation, lying just south of the Celestial equator, below the constellation Orion, and possibly representing a hare being chased by Orion the hunter. ... Epsilon Eridani (ε Eri / ε Eridani) is a notable main-sequence K2 class star in the constellation of Eridanus. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... 40 Eridani (also known as Omicron 2 Eridani, or Keid, from the Arabic word qayd (egg) shells) is a triple star system less than 16. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Zeta Tucanae (ζ Tuc / ζ Tucanae) is a star in the constellation Tucana. ... Tucana (Latin for Toucan) is a southern constellation. ... Zavijava (also Zavijah)ist the name of the star Beta Virginis in the constellation virgin. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... Beta Coma Berenices (β Comae Berenices / β Com) is a main sequence dwarf star in the constellation of Coma Berenices. ... Coma Berenices (Latin for Berenices Hair) is a traditional asterism that has since become a constellation. ... Gamma Pavonis (γ Pav / γ Pavonis) is a star in the constellation Pavo. ... Pavo, being Latin for Peacock, is a southern constellation. ... Iota Persei (ι Per / ι Persei) is a main sequence dwarf star in the constellation Perseus. ... Perseus is a northern constellation, named after the Greek hero who slew the monster Medusa. ... Epsilon Indi (ε Ind / ε Indi) is a star approximately 11. ... Indus (IPA: ) is a southern constellation that is supposed to represent an American Indian. ... Gamma Serpentis (γ Ser / γ Serpentis) is a star in the constellation Serpens. ... Serpens (the snake) is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Sigma Draconis is a star system 18. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... Perseus is a northern constellation, named after the Greek hero who slew the monster Medusa. ... In astronomy, 61 Virginis is a star similar to the Sun, located about 27. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... Upsilon Andromedae (υ And ) is a star, approximately 44 light-years from Earth, and approximately 3 billion years old, two thirds the age of our Sun. ... Andromeda (IPA: ) is a constellation named for the princess Andromeda (which is Greek for Ruler over men), a character in Greek mythology. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... For other uses, see Pisces. ... Tucana (Latin for Toucan) is a southern constellation. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ... Other uses: dorado is used in the fisheries of some Latin American countries to denote the edible fish mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus Dorado is also the name of mythical Latin American warriors. ... Lambda Aurigae (λ Aur / λ Aurigae) is a binary star in the constellation Auriga. ... Auriga (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... Theta Boötis (or Asellus primus; abbr. ... Boötes (IPA: ), a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Psi Capricorni (ψ Cap / ψ Capricorni) is a star in the constellation Capricornus. ... Capricornus ( or , Unicode: ♑), a name meaning Horned Goat or That which has horns like a goats in Latin, is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Alpha Corvi (α Crv / α Corvi) is a star in the constellation Corvus. ... Corvus (Latin for Raven/Crow) is a small southern constellation with only 11 stars visible to the naked eye (brighter than magnitude 5. ... Alpha Mensae is the brightest star in the constellation Mensa. ... Mensa (Latin for Table) is a southern constellation which was first introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the name Mons Mensae (Latin for table mountain). ... Sigma Boötis (abbr. ... Boötes (IPA: ), a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Lepus (IPA: , Latin: ) is a constellation, lying just south of the Celestial equator, below the constellation Orion, and possibly representing a hare being chased by Orion the hunter. ... Triangulum Australe is a small southern constellation whose three brightest stars, of second and third magnitude, form an approximately equilateral triangle. ... Pegasus (IPA: ) is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus, named for the winged horse. ... Hydra (IPA: ) is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... 47 Ursae Majoris (abbreviated 47 UMa) is a 5th magnitude yellow dwarf star in the constellation of Ursa Major. ... This article is about the Great Bear constellation. ... I Carinae (I Car) is a star in the constellation Carina. ... Cheese wizz rulz hardcore. ... Nu Phoenicis is a main sequence dwarf star in the constellation Phoenix. ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations ... For other uses of the word Taurus see Taurus. ... 61 Ursae Majoris is an orange-yellow main sequence dwarf star in the constellation Ursa Major. ... This article is about the Great Bear constellation. ... Mu Arae (NASA Nstars database) Mu Arae (μ Ara / μ Arae) is a 5th magnitude yellow-orange G-type star similar to our Sun. ... Ara (Latin for Altar) is a faint southerly constellation between the constellations Centaurus and Lupus. ... Lupus (Latin for Wolf) is a southern constellation. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... Ophiuchus (IPA: ), sometimes referred to as Serpentarius (IPA: ), both meaning serpent-holder, is one of the 88 constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... HD 147513 is a 5th magnitude star in the constellation of Scorpius. ... Scorpius (Latin for scorpion, symbol , Unicode ♏) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Corvus (Latin for Raven/Crow) is a small southern constellation with only 11 stars visible to the naked eye (brighter than magnitude 5. ... Cassiopeia is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen. ... The correct title of this article is Psi5 Aurigae. ... Auriga (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... 72 Herculis is a main sequence dwarf star in the constellation Hercules. ... Hercules (IPA: ) is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Piscis Austrinus or Piscis Australis (both of which are Latin for Southern Fish) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and is also one of the 88 modern constellations. ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea monster, see Ceto) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... 20 Leonis Minoris is a binary star system in the constellation Leo Minor. ... Leo Minor (Latin for Small Lion) is a rather dim constellation that can barely be recognized as a triangle and lies between the easily discerned constellations Ursa Major and Leo. ... Cassiopeia is a northern constellation which Greek mythology considered to represent a vain queen. ... Leo Minor (Latin for Small Lion) is a rather dim constellation that can barely be recognized as a triangle and lies between the easily discerned constellations Ursa Major and Leo. ... Zeta Reticuli (ζ Ret / ζ Reticuli) is a binary star system located about 39 light years away from Earth. ... Reticulum (Latin for reticle), is one of the minor southern (declination -60 degrees) constellations. ... 58 Eridani is a main sequence star in the constellation Eridanus. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Chi Cancri (abbr. ... Cancer (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is one of the thirteen constellations of the zodiac. ... Hercules (IPA: ) is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... 18 Scorpii is a star located some 45. ... Scorpius (Latin for scorpion, symbol , Unicode ♏) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... 55 Cancri (abbreviated 55 Cnc; Bayer designation ρ1 Cancri, Rho-1 Cancri) is a nearby 6th magnitude star in the constellation Cancer. ... Cancer (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is one of the thirteen constellations of the zodiac. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... 51 Pegasi (Flamsteed designation, HIP 113357 in the Hipparcos Catalogue, HD 217014 in the Henry Draper Catalogue) is the name of a Sun-like star 14. ... Pegasus (IPA: ) is a northern constellation, named after the mythological Pegasus, named for the winged horse. ... 45 Boötis is a star in the constellation Boötes. ... Boötes (IPA: ), a name deriving from Egypt, is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. ... Omicron Aquilae (ο Aql / ο Aquilae) is a binary star in the constellation Aquila. ... Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ... Orion (IPA: ), a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known and most conspicuous in the sky. ... Iota Horologii (also called HR 810 / ι Hor) is a Sun-like star about 50 ly. ... Horologium (Latin for clock) is one of the lesser southern constellations (declination around -60 degrees). ... Mu Virginis (μ Vir / μ Virginis ) is a star in the constellation Virgo. ... See VIRGO (physics) for a French-Italian project in physics. ... Alpha Chamaeleontis (α Cha / α Chamaeleontis) is a star in the constellation Chamaeleon. ... For other uses of the word, see chameleon (disambiguation) Chamaeleon (Latin for chameleon) is a minor southern constellation. ... Capricornus ( or , Unicode: ♑), a name meaning Horned Goat or That which has horns like a goats in Latin, is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... The Bayer designation Pi Ursae Majoris (π UMa / π Ursae Majoris) is shared by two stars, π¹ Ursae Majoris and π² Ursae Majoris, in the constellation Ursa Major. ... This article is about the Great Bear constellation. ... η Crucis (η Cru / Eta Crucis) is a star in the constellation Crux. ... Crux (IPA: , Latin: ), commonly known as the Southern Cross (in contrast to the Northern Cross), is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but nevertheless one of the most distinctive. ... Cygnus (Latin for swan) is a northern constellation. ... Camelopardalis, Latin for giraffe, is the name of a large but faint northern constellation first recorded by Jakob Bartsch in 1624, but probably created earlier by Petrus Plancius. ... Lupus (Latin for Wolf) is a southern constellation. ... Cygnus (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... Leo (IPA: , Latin: , symbol , ) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... Auriga (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... Lynx (IPA: ) is a constellation of the northern hemisphere, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. ... q1 Eridani is the Bayer designation for a star usually known with the Henry Draper catalogue (HD) number 10647. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Cheese wizz rulz hardcore. ... 12 Ophiuchi is a variable star in the constellation Ophiuchus. ... Ophiuchus (IPA: ), sometimes referred to as Serpentarius (IPA: ), both meaning serpent-holder, is one of the 88 constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. ... Other uses: dorado is used in the fisheries of some Latin American countries to denote the edible fish mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus Dorado is also the name of mythical Latin American warriors. ... Eridanus is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... HR 5568 or Gliese 570 is a triple star system 19. ... Libra (, and Latin for balance) is a constellation of the zodiac. ... Cepheus (IPA: ) is a northern constellation named after King Cepheus in Greek mythology, and is considered to represent a king. ... Reticulum (Latin for reticle), is one of the minor southern (declination -60 degrees) constellations. ... Lynx (IPA: ) is a constellation of the northern hemisphere, introduced in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. ... Puppis (IPA: , Latin: ) is a southern constellation. ... Indus (IPA: ) is a southern constellation that is supposed to represent an American Indian. ... Vela (IPA: , Latin: ) is a southern constellation, one of the four parts into which Argo Navis was split (the others being Carina, Puppis and Pyxis). ... Orion (IPA: ), a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known and most conspicuous in the sky. ... Lambda Arae (λ Ara / λ Arae) is a star in the constellation Ara. ... Ara (Latin for Altar) is a faint southerly constellation between the constellations Centaurus and Lupus. ... Psi Draconis (ψ¹ Dra / ψ¹ Draconis) is a star in the constellation Draco. ... Draco (Latin for Dragon) is a far northern constellation that is circumpolar for many northern hemisphere observers. ... Gliese 777 (Gl 777) is a 6th magnitude star in the constellation Cygnus. ... Cygnus (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... HD 172051 is a main sequence dwarf star in the constellation Sagittarius. ... For the astrological sign, see Sagittarius (astrology). ... Categories: Astronomy stubs | Modern constellations | Constellations ... Mensa (Latin for Table) is a southern constellation which was first introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille under the name Mons Mensae (Latin for table mountain). ...

See also

NASAs series of Great Observatories satellites were four large, powerful space-based telescopes. ... two Gulphogs take shelter during a solar flare Aurelia is a hypothetical Earth-sized extrasolar planet orbiting a red dwarf star in our local area of the galaxy. ... Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (portrait by Nadar) Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (July 26, 1796 – February 22, 1875) was a French landscape painter. ... Darwin is a proposed European Space Agency (ESA) mission designed to directly detect Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars, and search for evidence of life on these planets. ... The New Worlds Imager is an NAIC funded project, headed by Dr. Webster Cash of the University of Colorado at Boulder. ...

References

  1. ^ NASA budget statement. Planetary Society (2006-02-06). Retrieved on 2006-07-17.
  2. ^ NASA President's FY 2007 Budget Request
  3. ^ House subcommittee helps save our science. Planetary Society (2006-06-14). Retrieved on 2006-07-17.

This article is in need of attention. ... -1... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... -1... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... -1... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... -1... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ...

External links

  • NASA Planet Quest: Terrestrial Planet Finder
  • Canceling NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder: The White House's Increasingly Nearsighted "Vision" For Space Exploration
  • Congressional Inaction Leaves Science Still Devastated. Planetary Society (2006-11-26).
Topics associated with astrobiology
Biochemistry | Cosmology | Ecology | Evolutionary biology | Extremophiles | Mars | Microbiology | Origin of life | Paleontology | Planetary habitability | Planetary science | Solar system formation | Terrestrial Planet Finder

  Results from FactBites:
 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (296 words)
Terrestrial Planet Finder will take family portraits of stars and their orbiting planets and determine which planets may have the right chemistry to sustain life.
One great challenge is how to detect planets against the blinding glare of their parent star, an effort that has been compared to trying to find a firefly in the glare of a searchlight.
Terrestrial Planet Finder will reduce the glare of parent stars to see planetary systems up to 50 light-years away.
Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) (462 words)
Our understanding of the properties of terrestrial planets will be scientifically most valuable within a broader framework that includes the properties of all planetary system constituents, including both gas giant and terrestrial planets and debris disks.
TPF's ability to carry out a program of comparative planet studies across a range of planetary masses and orbital locations in a large number of new solar systems is by itself an important scientific motivation for the mission.
TPF will take the form of two separate and complementary observatories:: a coronagraph operating at visible wavelengths and a large-baseline interferometer operating in the infrared.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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