NASA has been developing the world’s most powerful telescope to unveil the secrets of the universe. The telescope is named as Advanced Telescope Large-Aperture (Atlast). The main objective of the telescope is to explore the universe as well as let the people know about life of aliens.
NASA is always in search of new ways to discover the hidden secrets of the universe. In this regard, NASA has been developing the world’s most powerful telescope to unveil the secrets of the universe. The telescope is named as Advanced Telescope Large-Aperture (Atlast). The main objective of the telescope is to explore the universe as well as let the people know about life of aliens. Previously, a telescope named as James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is already in the development phase and is expected to be completed in 2018. The new telescope Atlast is a key technology developed based on the experience gained from the design of JWST and Hubble telescope.
In this regard, a study is being conducted by the engineers and scientists of NASA at Maryland Greenbelt’s Goddard Space Flight Center. They are investigating the cost as well as the scientific and technical aspects of the project. The new telescope will enhance the capabilities of the Webb telescope in order to improve the scalability and deployability of large segmented mirror arrays. Although JWST and Hubble are expected to be operational for several years in the space but still Atlast is being developed as a part of the 30 years long vision of NASA.
The main objective of the 30 years vision is to answer these three questions: Either we are alone? How we reached here? and Knowing the universe’ working. The focus will be to find the signs of life on other planets like earth. The large mirror will also help in investigating other facts of the universe as well. Atlast will be made powerful enough to explore the stars which are at a distance of 10 million light-years from our earth. The telescope will also be able to detect the star-formation regions with the size of 325 light-years in the universe. The goals set for the new telescope are no doubt amazing.
The ambitious objectives of the telescope require it to be equipped with highly precise and stable mechanical and thermal system. The telescope will be launched in the same orbit L2 where the JWST will be launched. Seeing far off planets requires a mirror even larger than JWST telescope. A 10-meter long mirror is being experimented to testify he light gathering area of the telescope.