Unveiling Solar Mysteries: Nasa’s Curie Embarks on Groundbreaking Quest to Decode the Sun’s Enigmatic Radio Waves
New Delhi, UPDATED: Jul 9, 2024, 12:14 IST – NASA is poised to embark on a pioneering mission to decode the mysteries of solar radio waves with the CubeSat Radio Interferometry Experiment (CURIE), set for launch today. CURIE will be carried into space by an ESA Ariane 6 rocket departing from French Guiana, marking a significant milestone in space-based radio astronomy.
CURIE’s primary objective is to investigate the origins of solar radio waves, phenomena long linked to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These solar activities are crucial as they impact space weather, potentially disrupting satellite communications and other Earth-based technologies. Despite years of study, the precise source of these radio waves within CMEs remains elusive.
The mission introduces an innovative method called low frequency radio interferometry, utilized for the first time in space. The CURIE mission comprises two miniature spacecraft, each no larger than a shoebox, which will orbit Earth about two miles apart. This configuration allows the instruments to detect tiny discrepancies in the arrival times of radio waves, enabling precise identification of their solar origins.
David Sundkvist, Principal Investigator from the University of California, Berkeley, describes CURIE as "a very ambitious and exciting mission," highlighting its pioneering role in space-based radio astronomy. The spacecraft, designed by UC Berkeley, will measure radio waves in the 0.1 to 19 megahertz range—frequencies blocked by Earth’s atmosphere, thus necessitating space-based observation.
Positioned 360 miles above Earth, the twin CURIE satellites will deploy their eight-foot antennas and commence data collection upon reaching orbit. The data gathered promises to revolutionize our understanding of solar phenomena and lay the groundwork for future advancements in space-based radio astronomy.
CURIE’s successful execution will not only enhance our knowledge of the Sun but also augment strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of space weather on modern technology.
Published By: Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On: Jul 9, 2024
Original Story https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/science/story/nasas-curie-to-investigate-the-origin-of-suns-radio-waves-2564210-2024-07-09
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