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On Thursday, March 27, the European Space Agency (ESA) sent the latest messages Gaia orbiting observatory. The prominent satellite was ordered to disconnect the communication systems and the central computer, saying goodbye to him.
It was the most successful ESA orbiter since its launch 12 years ago. The reason for the end of the spacecraft’s operation was a lack of nitrogen, which Gaia used to orbit adjustment and observation of space objects. After launching into space, the observatory used 55 kg of propellant, performing more than 15 thousand controlled maneuvers
The satellite left its orbital location at the second Lagrange point, where it was held by the gravity of the Earth and the Sun, and will continue to orbit our parent star. Gaia made its last observation on January 15 this year. After that, ESA specialists conducted testing for several weeks before finally shutting down the observatory.
Gaia’s main mission was to create a detailed three-dimensional map of the Milky Way. As part of this, the telescope measured the exact location and motion of nearly 2 billion stars and other space objects, millions of galaxies, and 150,000 asteroids. Gaia also measured brightness and variability, and this data was used to determine temperatures, gravitational parameters, and types of stars. Thanks to this telescope, astronomers were able to learn that the Milky Way has several spiral arms that are less distinct than previously thought.
Despite the fact that Gaia is no longer online, the data collected by the telescope will continue to be published. In particular, the next set of data is planned to be published in 2026, and all the data provided by Gaia will be available only after 2030. ESA is currently preparing a new mission to follow Gaia’s work, which is scheduled to be launched in 2040.
In addition, with the help of Gaia, astronomers were able to determine two black holes closest to the Earth at once. One of them was paired with a star at a distance of 1.5 thousand light-years from Earth, and the other is located 3.8 thousand light-years away.
Gaia also discovered compact neutron starsformed as a result of the collapse, which were hiding behind other more massive and bright stars.
The article was published in the journal The Conversation
Source: ZMEScience