An ultraviolet spectrometer that NASA plans to install on the Hubble Space
Telescope in 2002 will be 20 times as sensitive as the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph installed earlier this year. The new Cosmic Origins Spectrometer
will probe 10 billion light years out into the Universe. James Green of the
University of Colorado at Boulder, who is heading the project, hopes it will
enable astronomers to 鈥渟ee back to the epoch of galaxy formation鈥, and watch
galaxies forming from balls of hot gas. He also hopes to be able to spot
ultraviolet light that hot helium ions emitted as they captured their first
electrons.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Environment
Galapagos corals suggest climate change drives stronger El Ni帽os
News
Life
Astonishing whale feeding frenzy seen off the eastern coast of Greenland
News
Environment
Octopuses released into Adriatic Sea to tackle invasive crabs
News
Technology
Driving data can predict crash black spots before accidents happen
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles