Ultraviolet Imaging
Ultraviolet imaging is an important part of modern day astronomy. Most of the UV spectrum is blocked by the atmosphere, so research in UV is only by use of space flight. This is where SpaceFab comes in.
Ultraviolet measurements can be used to discern the chemical composition, densities, and temperatures of the interstellar medium, along with the temperature and composition of hot young stars. UV observations also provide essential information about the evolution of galaxies, contact binaries, star formation regions and more. The universe in ultraviolet looks quite different from the familiar stars and galaxies seen in visible light. Most stars in the sky are actually relatively cool objects, emitting much of their radiation in the visible or near-infrared part of the spectrum. Ultraviolet radiation is the signature of hotter objects, typically in the early and late stages of their evolution. If you were to look into space in the ultraviolet, most stars would fade in prominence. Some very young massive stars and some very old stars and galaxies, growing hotter and producing higher-energy radiation near their birth or death, would be visible.
Ultraviolet is also a shorter wavelength of light, so it allows us to get higher resolution images with the same size telescope, compared to visible light. The area of ultraviolet astronomy has not been studied as much as the visible spectrum and there a lot of exciting things to yet be discovered.
Ultraviolet measurements can be used to discern the chemical composition, densities, and temperatures of the interstellar medium, along with the temperature and composition of hot young stars. UV observations also provide essential information about the evolution of galaxies, contact binaries, star formation regions and more. The universe in ultraviolet looks quite different from the familiar stars and galaxies seen in visible light. Most stars in the sky are actually relatively cool objects, emitting much of their radiation in the visible or near-infrared part of the spectrum. Ultraviolet radiation is the signature of hotter objects, typically in the early and late stages of their evolution. If you were to look into space in the ultraviolet, most stars would fade in prominence. Some very young massive stars and some very old stars and galaxies, growing hotter and producing higher-energy radiation near their birth or death, would be visible.
Ultraviolet is also a shorter wavelength of light, so it allows us to get higher resolution images with the same size telescope, compared to visible light. The area of ultraviolet astronomy has not been studied as much as the visible spectrum and there a lot of exciting things to yet be discovered.