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'Killer space rock' hunt to begin | 'Killer space rock' hunt to begin |
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By Paul Rincon Science reporter, BBC News The telescope is relatively small, but incorporates cutting edge technology | By Paul Rincon Science reporter, BBC News The telescope is relatively small, but incorporates cutting edge technology |
A new telescope facility in Hawaii designed to search for asteroids and comets which could threaten Earth has been made operational. | A new telescope facility in Hawaii designed to search for asteroids and comets which could threaten Earth has been made operational. |
The Pan-STARRS 1 telescope will map large portions of the sky each night to track not only close space objects, but also exploding stars (supernovae). | The Pan-STARRS 1 telescope will map large portions of the sky each night to track not only close space objects, but also exploding stars (supernovae). |
The telescope has been taking science data for six months but is now operating from dusk-dawn each night. | The telescope has been taking science data for six months but is now operating from dusk-dawn each night. |
Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) is expected to map one-sixth of the sky every month. | Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) is expected to map one-sixth of the sky every month. |
The facility boasts one of the biggest digital cameras of its type: a 1,400 megapixel (1.4 gigapixel) device that can photograph an area of the sky as large as 36 full Moons in a single exposure. | The facility boasts one of the biggest digital cameras of its type: a 1,400 megapixel (1.4 gigapixel) device that can photograph an area of the sky as large as 36 full Moons in a single exposure. |
"Although modest in size, this telescope is on the cutting edge of technology," said Dr Nick Kaiser, head of the Pan-STARRS project. | "Although modest in size, this telescope is on the cutting edge of technology," said Dr Nick Kaiser, head of the Pan-STARRS project. |
The giant digital camera will take over 500 exposures each night, collecting about four terabytes of data (equivalent to what 1,000 DVDs can hold). | The giant digital camera will take over 500 exposures each night, collecting about four terabytes of data (equivalent to what 1,000 DVDs can hold). |
By casting a wide net, the telescope is expected to catch many moving objects within our Solar System. | By casting a wide net, the telescope is expected to catch many moving objects within our Solar System. |
Frequent follow-up observations will allow astronomers to track those objects and calculate their orbits, identifying any potential threats to Earth. | Frequent follow-up observations will allow astronomers to track those objects and calculate their orbits, identifying any potential threats to Earth. |
The 1.8m (60-inch) diameter telescope on Haleakala will also spot many small, faint bodies in the outer Solar System that hid from previous surveys. | The 1.8m (60-inch) diameter telescope on Haleakala will also spot many small, faint bodies in the outer Solar System that hid from previous surveys. |
PS1 is the experimental prototype for a larger telescope to be built called PS4, which will have four times the power of PS1 and is planned for Mauna Kea in Hawaii. | PS1 is the experimental prototype for a larger telescope to be built called PS4, which will have four times the power of PS1 and is planned for Mauna Kea in Hawaii. |
Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk |