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
- 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
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