22nd March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
A critical threat looms in space. A vital telescope is slowly losing its sight, not due to debris but something unbelievably delicate.
The culprit? A layer of water is ice thinner than a single strand of DNA.
This ice is slowly obscuring the vision of the Euclid telescope, designed to map dark matter and the universe's expansion.
Scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) detected the issue when starlight readings began to dim unexpectedly.
The ice forms on the telescope's sensitive instruments due to outgassing and temperature fluctuations in space.
It's a delicate problem – harsh cleaning methods could further damage the telescope.
ESA scientists are developing ingenious solutions, like strategically warming the telescope to sublimate the ice.
The race is on to restore the telescope's sight and preserve its vital mission.
This incident highlights the unexpected challenges and incredible delicacy of space exploration.
Will the team succeed? The fate of groundbreaking cosmic discoveries hangs in the balance.