CHINA/AZERBAIJAN: Chinese and European scientists are joining forces to develop an exceptionally sensitive space telescope to monitor the universe’s most violent cosmic explosions. Dubbed the “Polar-2 mission,” this ambitious project aims to track gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are energetic and intense flashes of gamma radiation resulting from some of the most potent cosmic events since the universe’s inception.
The collaboration includes scientists from Switzerland, Poland, Germany, and China, with plans to deliver this cutting-edge telescope to China’s Tiangong space station in 2025. The announcement was made during the International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, where physicists and astronomers gathered to discuss the latest developments in space research.
Gamma-ray bursts have been a subject of fascination and mystery since their discovery over half a century ago. These brief and intense flashes of gamma radiation have eluded complete comprehension due to their unpredictable nature regarding timing and location.
“One theory suggests that GRBs originate from the core of explosions triggered by events like the birth of a black hole or the collision of dense, spinning cores of collapsed stars,” explained Nicolas Produit, a physicist from the University of Geneva.
The Polar-2 mission follows the success of its predecessor, which was a collaborative effort between researchers from Switzerland, China, and Poland. The earlier mission aimed to unravel the mysteries surrounding GRBs by investigating their structure, magnetic fields, and emission mechanisms.
A pivotal instrument in this endeavour was a GRB polarimeter that spent six months aboard China’s Tiangong-2 space lab, measuring the rotation angle of light particles detected by a gamma-ray detector.
Polar-2 takes this mission to new heights, both figuratively and literally. The telescope is four times larger and ten times more sensitive than its forerunner. These enhancements result from cutting-edge technologies, including silicon-based photomultiplier tubes, which are poised to revolutionize our ability to observe and analyze GRBs.
The significance of the Polar-2 mission lies in its potential to provide unprecedented insights into the nature and origins of these cosmic explosions. By delivering this advanced telescope to China’s Tiangong space station, the international team of scientists hopes to unlock the secrets of GRBs and further our understanding of the universe’s most violent phenomena.
Polar-2 is one of seven international experiments selected by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs to be hosted by the Tiangong space station. This recognition underscores the mission’s global importance in advancing space research and its potential to bring humanity closer to unravelling the mysteries of the cosmos.
As the Polar-2 mission progresses, it represents a testament to the power of international cooperation and scientific endeavour, offering the promise of shedding light on some of the universe’s most enigmatic and powerful phenomena. With the telescope’s anticipated launch in 2025, the world eagerly awaits the discoveries and revelations it may bring as humanity continues exploring the vast cosmos expanse.
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