Internet Encyclopedia of Science
SATELLITES & SPACE PROBES
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

          • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
• NEWSLETTER

  



Darwin


Darwin
A ESA (European Space Agency) space-based interferometer that will operate in the infrared part of the spectrum (see Infrared Space Interferometer). Its principal aims will be to search for Earth-like planets around nearby stars and then look for signatures of life, such as the presence of ozone in the atmosphere. Darwin will use a flotilla of six telescopes, each of which will be at least 1.5 metres in diameter.1 See extraterrestrial life, detection. It is expected to be launched in about 2015 and will build on the work of the Eddington mission.


Reference

  1. Leger, A., Mariott, J. M., Menesson, B., Ollivier, M., Puget, J. L., Rouan, D., and Schneider, J. "Could We Search for Primitive Life on Extrasolar Planets in the Near Future? The Darwin Project," Icarus, 123, 249 (1996).

External link

Darwin project homepage


Related entry

   • infrared astronomy


Related categories

   • INFRARED ASTRONOMY SATELLITES
   • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History




BACK TO TOP