NASA Rocket to Study Star-Forming Supernova Remnant on Oct. 31.
A NASA rocket is set to launch on Oct. 31 to study a star-forming supernova remnant called the Cygnus Loop. The rocket, carrying an instrument called the Integral Field Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Experiment (INFUSE), will lift off from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at 11:35 p.m. ET and reach an altitude of 150 miles (240 km).
The Cygnus Loop is a ring of glowing gas and dust that is about 2,600 light-years from Earth. It is the remnant of a supernova that exploded about 20,000 years ago. Supernovae are the explosive deaths of massive stars, and they play a vital role in the evolution of galaxies.
INFUSE will collect ultraviolet light data from the Cygnus Loop. This data will be used to study the composition and temperature of the gas and dust in the remnant. Scientists will also use the data to learn more about the processes that drive star formation.
"Supernovae like the one that created the Cygnus Loop have a huge impact on how galaxies form," said Brian Fleming of the University of Colorado Boulder, who is the principal investigator for the INFUSE mission. "By studying this remnant, we can learn more about how supernovae enrich the interstellar medium with heavy elements, which are essential for the formation of new stars and planets."
The INFUSE mission is expected to last for about five minutes. During that time, the instrument will collect data from a variety of locations within the Cygnus Loop. The data will be transmitted to a ground station in New Mexico and then analyzed by scientists.
Scientists believe that the INFUSE mission will provide new insights into the Cygnus Loop and other supernova remnants. This information could help scientists to better understand the role of supernovae in the evolution of galaxies.
What to expect on Oct. 31
The INFUSE rocket launch is scheduled for 11:35 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. The launch will be webcast live on the NASA TV website and YouTube channel.
If you live in the White Sands Missile Range area, you may be able to see the rocket launch with your eyes if the sky is clear. The rocket will appear as a bright light moving upwards in the sky.
After the launch, scientists will begin analyzing the data collected by INFUSE. The first results from the mission are expected to be released in early 2024.