. 24/7 Space News .
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
New technology is a 'science multiplier' for astronomy
by Staff Writers
Bloomington IN (SPX) Sep 22, 2020

The first image of a black hole by the the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019 was enabled in part b support for the NSF's Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation program.

Federal funding of new technology is crucial for astronomy, according to results of a study released Sept. 21 in the Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments and Systems.

The study tracked the long-term impact of early seed funding obtained from the National Science Foundation. Many of the key advances in astronomy over the past three decades benefited directly or indirectly from this early seed funding.

Over the past 30 years, the NSF Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation program has supported astronomers to develop new ways to study the universe. Such devices may include cameras or other instruments as well as innovations in telescope design.

The study traced the origins of some workhorse technologies in use today back to their humble origins years or even decades ago in early grants from NSF. The study also explored the impact of technologies that are just now advancing the state-of-the-art.

The impact of technology and instrumentation research unfolds over the long term. "New technology is a science multiplier" said study author Peter Kurczynski, who served as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation and is now the Chief Scientist of Cosmic Origins at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. "It enables new ways of observing the universe that were never before possible." As a result, astronomers are able to make better observations, and gain deeper insights, into the mysteries of the cosmos.

The study also looked at the impact of grant supported research in the peer-reviewed literature. Papers resulting from technology and instrumentation grants are cited with the same frequency as those resulting from pure science grants, according to the study. Instrumentation scientists "write papers to the same degree, and with the same impact as their peers who do not build instruments," said Stasa Milojevic, associate professor of informatics and the director of the Center for Complex Network and Systems Research in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at Indiana University, who is a coauthor of the study.

Also noteworthy is that NSF grant supported research was cited more frequently overall than the general astronomy literature. NSF is considered to have set the gold standard in merit review process for selecting promising research for funding.

An anonymous reviewer described the article as a "go-to record for anyone needing to know the basic history of many breakthroughs in astronomical technology." Better observations have always improved our understanding of the universe.

From the birth of modern astronomy in the middle ages to the present day, astronomers have relied upon new technologies to reveal the subtle details of the night sky with increasing sophistication.

This study comes at a critical time of reflection on the nation's commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. U.S. preeminence in STEM is increasingly challenged by China and Europe.

This study reveals that investments in technology have a tremendous impact for science. Astronomers today are still reaping the benefits of research that was begun decades ago. The future of astronomy depends upon technologies being developed today.

Research paper


Related Links
Indiana University
Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Can life survive a star's death
Ithaca NY (SPX) Sep 17, 2020
When stars like our sun die, all that remains is an exposed core - a white dwarf. A planet orbiting a white dwarf presents a promising opportunity to determine if life can survive the death of its star, according to Cornell University researchers. In a study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, they show how NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope could find signatures of life on Earth-like planets orbiting white dwarfs. A planet orbiting a small star produces strong atmospheri ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
NASA's Partnership Between Art and Science: A Collaboration to Cherish

Small leak of ammonia detected at US Segment of ISS

Israeli tech start-ups take on the Emirates

ISS may need to evade US Military cubesat

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
General Atomics delivers nuclear thermal propulsion concept to NASA

NASA's 2021 Student Launch Competition Opens

Complex to build 20 solid-propellant Long March 11 carrier craft every year

NASA technology enables precision landing without a pilot

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
AFRL technology traveling to Mars

Using chitin to manufacture tools and shelters on Mars

Study shows difficulty in finding evidence of life on Mars

China's Mars probe travels 137 mln km

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
China's new carrier rocket available for public view

China sends nine satellites into orbit by sea launch

Chinese spacecraft launched mystery object into space before returning to Earth

China's reusable spacecraft returns to Earth after 2 days

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
ESA brings space industry together online

UK's OneWeb resumes satellite production after bankruptcy

SpaceX postpones Starlink launch from Florida

Dragonfly Aerospace emerges from SCS Aerospace Group

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Planets take virtual shape on Earth with NASA knowledge and imagery

How Algorithmic Darwinism is propelling space evolution

Mesh reflector for shaped radio beams

Zombie satellites and rogue debris threatening existence of ISS

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
A white dwarf's surprise planetary companion

How protoplanetary rings form in primordial gas clouds

NASA missions spy first possible survivor planet hugging white dwarf star

Device could help detect signs of extraterrestrial life

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Astronomers characterize Uranian moons using new imaging analysis

Jupiter's moons could be warming each other

Atomistic modelling probes the behavior of matter at the center of Jupiter

Technology ready to explore subsurface oceans on Ganymede









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.