Ultra-sensitive spectroscope - astronomers' new weapon

SEPIA, the integrated device on the APEX telescope, not only identifies water and other molecules in the galaxy, but can also hunt water from the early universe.

New tool helps astronomers perform scientific tasks

According to Gizmag, SEPIA is in fact an extremely sensitive spectroscopic detector manufactured by Sweden to search for a certain wavelength of light (from 1.4 to 1.9 mm) - the wavelength range that shows the water present. Water is one of many important indicators in astrophysics, the key to the origin of life.

SEPIA was installed in early 2015. (Photo: ESO).

Therefore, studying the water in the universe as in molecular clouds, in star-forming regions, or even comets in the Solar System, will provide important information about the role of water in the Milky Way. Earth and Earth history. In addition, SEPIA's sensitivity makes it a great tool for detecting CO and carbon ionization of the early universe.

Earlier this year, it was mounted on APEX pan antennas, in the ALMA radio telescope set in the Atcama desert, north of Chile, where the temperature was just slightly more than 0 degrees Celsius, to ensure The sensor is cooled for optimal operation.

Normally, sensors like SEPIA will be affected by a large amount of water vapor in the Earth's dense atmosphere, making it difficult to hunt for signs of space sources. However, APEX is located very high on the Chajnanto plateau, 5,000 meters above sea level and extremely low humidity, so it will not be affected by water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere.

Antenna APEX astronomical pan in Chile.(Photo: ESO).

From the beginning of the year until now, SEPIA is running a test, and giving good results. After completing the test, it will serve the global scientific community. John Conway, director of the Swedish Space Astronomical Observatory Onsala, said the device would open a new direction for astronomy in finding and tracking subjects with high-resolution images.