Project TESS, or the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is a NASA mission that aims to find and study exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system. The mission was launched on April 18, 2018, and since then it has been scanning the sky for exoplanets using the transit method. The satellite is expected to survey around 85% of the sky, focusing on the brightest stars within 300 light-years of Earth.
The transit method, which TESS uses to detect exoplanets, is based on the principle that when a planet orbits a star, it can cause a dip in the star’s brightness. This dip occurs when the planet passes in front of the star, blocking a small portion of its light. By measuring these dips in brightness, scientists can detect the presence of exoplanets and estimate their size and orbital period.
One of the main goals of TESS is to find exoplanets that are similar in size and temperature to Earth, and are located in the “habitable zone” of their host star. This is the region around a star where the temperature is just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet, which is considered a necessary condition for life as we know it. TESS is expected to find thousands of exoplanets, including dozens in the habitable zone, which will be prime targets for follow-up studies by other telescopes.
Another important aspect of TESS is its ability to study the properties of exoplanets and their host stars in more detail. The satellite is equipped with four cameras that can observe a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to infrared. This will allow scientists to study the exoplanets’ atmospheres and surfaces, as well as the properties of their host stars, such as their age, composition, and activity.
One of the key benefits of TESS is its ability to discover and study a large number of exoplanets that are similar in size and temperature to Earth, and are located in the “habitable zone” of their host star. TESS is expected to find thousands of exoplanets, including dozens in the habitable zone, which will be prime targets for follow-up studies by other telescopes.
The discovery of exoplanets in the habitable zone is significant because it increases the chances of finding potentially habitable worlds outside of our solar system. These exoplanets could have conditions similar to Earth, such as liquid water on their surface, and could potentially support life as we know it. The discovery of such exoplanets would be a major step towards answering the question of whether we are alone in the universe.
TESS is also expected to discover a large number of exoplanets that are much smaller than those that have been discovered so far. This is important because smaller exoplanets are more similar in size to Earth and are more likely to be rocky, which increases the chances of finding exoplanets that have conditions similar to Earth. Additionally, smaller exoplanets are also easier to study in more detail using follow-up observations.
TESS is also able to study the properties of exoplanets and their host stars in more detail. The satellite is equipped with four cameras that can observe a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to infrared. This will allow scientists to study the exoplanets’ atmospheres and surfaces, as well as the properties of their host stars, such as their age, composition, and activity.
This information can be used to better understand the formation and evolution of exoplanets and their host stars. Additionally, by studying the properties of exoplanets, scientists can learn more about the conditions that are necessary for life to exist on other planets. This knowledge can be used to improve our understanding of the potential for life on other worlds and to guide the search
