NASA Reveals Prototype Telescope for Gravitational Wave Observatory (science.nasa.gov)
from neme@lemm.ee to astronomy@mander.xyz on 26 Oct 2024 18:43
https://lemm.ee/post/45844296

#astronomy

threaded - newest

dudinax@programming.dev on 26 Oct 2024 18:59 collapse

Wow it’s tiny

tate@lemmy.sdf.org on 26 Oct 2024 19:56 next collapse

Telescope is almost a misnomer here. It will be “looking” at other satellites, not astronomically distant objects.

The influence of gravitational waves will be seen in changes in the relative distance to each of the six satellites.

threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works on 27 Oct 2024 06:06 collapse

Yes, but also no.

Each side of the triangular array will measure nearly 1.6 million miles, or 2.5 million kilometers.

The satellites themselves may be small, but the interferometer antenna they’ll collectively form will be huge.