ID :
44016
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 20:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/44016
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean researchers develop 'fast tracking' telescope-camera
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean researchers said Tuesday they have developed a telescope-camera combination that can instantly track and film events that would easily be missed by conventional optical equipment.
The Ewha Womans University team led by Park Il-hung said the micro-electro
mechanical systems (MEMS) is the first of its kind in the world and is capable of
following events like lightning and the movement of super-fast projectiles.
The key to the technology lies in the so-called micro-electromechanical systems
telescope for extreme lightning (MTEL) that can react to and focus on events that
occur in the blink of an eye.
"If this equipment is placed on a space station, it has the capability to track
light sources traveling at light speed on the Earth's surface, while if it is
placed on the ground, the telescope can successfully follow a bullet that is
moving a meter away from the lens," the scientist said.
He added that such capabilities could enable the system to be used for next
generation space telescopes, high-tech commercial surveillance cameras and for
military purposes.
The professor of mathematical and physical sciences said this tracking ability is
possible because the large number of micro-mirrors are designed to move
independently and align themselves at the best possible angle to collect light,
essential for good imaging.
Ordinary reflector telescopes use a single mirror to collect light, requiring
them to move their entire frames to catch images not directly in front of them.
This process takes time and can result in missed images.
Park said that most of the technologies developed have been submitted for
international patents and will be published in the February edition of the
journal Laser Focus World. A total of 28 patent rights protection applications
have been submitted.
The team, meanwhile, said a compact MEMS unit has received clearance from the
Russian Federal Space Agency to be sent into space on the Tatiana-2 satellite due
to be launched in April. The satellite, to be sent into orbit 800 kilometers from
the surface of the planet, will take pictures of mega-lightings that have rarely
been documented on film because they streak upwards from clouds.
Additionally, engineers are moving to build a larger MEMS unit that can help
scientists conduct research related to gamma ray bursts that happen randomly in
space and are the biggest explosions observed so far.
A preliminary letter of intent has been signed with U.S. universities and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to use the telescope-camera on a
satellite to be launched around 2012.
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean researchers said Tuesday they have developed a telescope-camera combination that can instantly track and film events that would easily be missed by conventional optical equipment.
The Ewha Womans University team led by Park Il-hung said the micro-electro
mechanical systems (MEMS) is the first of its kind in the world and is capable of
following events like lightning and the movement of super-fast projectiles.
The key to the technology lies in the so-called micro-electromechanical systems
telescope for extreme lightning (MTEL) that can react to and focus on events that
occur in the blink of an eye.
"If this equipment is placed on a space station, it has the capability to track
light sources traveling at light speed on the Earth's surface, while if it is
placed on the ground, the telescope can successfully follow a bullet that is
moving a meter away from the lens," the scientist said.
He added that such capabilities could enable the system to be used for next
generation space telescopes, high-tech commercial surveillance cameras and for
military purposes.
The professor of mathematical and physical sciences said this tracking ability is
possible because the large number of micro-mirrors are designed to move
independently and align themselves at the best possible angle to collect light,
essential for good imaging.
Ordinary reflector telescopes use a single mirror to collect light, requiring
them to move their entire frames to catch images not directly in front of them.
This process takes time and can result in missed images.
Park said that most of the technologies developed have been submitted for
international patents and will be published in the February edition of the
journal Laser Focus World. A total of 28 patent rights protection applications
have been submitted.
The team, meanwhile, said a compact MEMS unit has received clearance from the
Russian Federal Space Agency to be sent into space on the Tatiana-2 satellite due
to be launched in April. The satellite, to be sent into orbit 800 kilometers from
the surface of the planet, will take pictures of mega-lightings that have rarely
been documented on film because they streak upwards from clouds.
Additionally, engineers are moving to build a larger MEMS unit that can help
scientists conduct research related to gamma ray bursts that happen randomly in
space and are the biggest explosions observed so far.
A preliminary letter of intent has been signed with U.S. universities and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to use the telescope-camera on a
satellite to be launched around 2012.
