When imaging faint objects such as distant stars or exoplanets, capturing every last bit of light is crucial to get the most out of a scientific mission.
NIST
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: New Frequency Comb Can Identify Molecules In 20-nanosecond Snapshots
From monitoring concentrations of greenhouse gases to detecting COVID in the breath, laser systems known as frequency combs can identify specific molecules as simple as carbon dioxide and as complex […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Press Release
NIST's Light-sensing Camera May Help Detect Extraterrestrial Life, Dark Matter
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have made one of the highest-performance cameras ever composed of sensors that count single photons, or particles of light. With […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
NIST Infrared Frequency Comb Measures Biological Signatures
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and collaborators have demonstrated a compact frequency-comb apparatus that rapidly measures the entire infrared band of light to detect biological, […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Press Release
Astrocomb Opens New Horizons for Planet-Hunting Telescope
The hunt for Earth-like planets, and perhaps extraterrestrial life, just got more precise, thanks to record-setting starlight measurements made possible by a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) “astrocomb.” […]