Lasers
We’re Entering a New Age When Spacecraft Communicate With Lasers
In October 2023, NASA launched its long-awaited on-again, off-again Psyche mission. The spacecraft is on its way to study the…
A Practical Use for Space Power: Beaming Energy to Probes on Venus
A few weeks ago, a team of scientists from Caltech announced that they had successfully transmitted energy from an orbiting…
Strange Green Lines Above Hawaii was Probably a Chinese Satellite
Every once in a while, the stars (or, in this case, satellites) align, and keen observers can receive an unexpected…
Star Formation Simulated in the lab, Using Lasers, of Course
The vacuum of space isn't really a vacuum. A vacuum is defined by Merriam-Webster as "a space absolutely devoid of…
Lasers Recreate the Conditions Inside Galaxy Clusters
Galaxies don't exist in a vacuum. Ok, maybe they do (mostly, since even interstellar space has some matter in it).…
Laser-Powered Sails Would be Great for Exploring the Solar System too
A new study from UCLA shows how laser-driven light sails could be a cost-effective method for exploring the Solar System…
A Powerful new Laser Will Enhance Adaptive Optics
In some applications, bigger lasers mean better lasers. That is the case in astronomy, where lasers are used for everything…
Forget About Interstellar Flights. Tiny Light Sails Could be Used to Explore the Solar System Today
Solar sails have been receiving a lot of attention lately. In part that is due to a series of high…
Ground-Based Lasers Could Push Space Debris off Collision-Course Orbits
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) are finding new uses for the laser-based technology that sharpens telescope imagery –…
New Receiver Will Boost Interplanetary Communication
As we explore the solar system, we'll need an interplanetary communication network that can keep up. A new receiver might…