UVEX’s ultraviolet spectrograph will dissect star explosions and scrutinize giant stars.
NASA has initiated a new mission through its Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer program, focusing on the exploration of ultraviolet light across the sky with a space telescope named UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer). Scheduled for a 2030 launch, UVEX aims to conduct a comprehensive all-sky survey in ultraviolet light, aiming to deepen our understanding of how galaxies and stars evolve.
This mission will also identify ultraviolet light sources across the universe, focusing on phenomena such as the explosions following gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars. Additionally, UVEX will be equipped with an ultraviolet spectrograph to study stellar explosions and the properties of massive stars.
Nicola Fox, the associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the mission’s potential to enrich knowledge of both nearby and distant galaxies and to monitor dynamic cosmic events. “This mission will bring key capabilities in near-and far-ultraviolet light to our fleet of space telescopes, delivering a wealth of survey data that will open new avenues in exploring the secrets of the cosmos,” she remarked.
Collaborative astronomical surveys
The UVEX mission is designed to work in concert with other significant astronomical surveys of this decade, such as the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid mission and NASA’s own Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This collaboration aims to produce a modern, multi-wavelength map of the universe, facilitating a thorough investigation of the cosmos across various light spectra.
Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters, highlighted UVEX’s anticipated impact on the astrophysical community. “This new telescope will contribute to our understanding of the universe across multiple wavelengths and address one of the major priorities in Astrophysics today: studying fleeting cosmic changes,” he added.
Mission development and partnerships
After a thorough review of two Medium-Class Explorer and two Mission of Opportunity concept proposals, NASA has selected the UVEX project as part of its Medium-Class Explorer program. The decision was based on alignment with NASA’s astrophysics goals and the availability of resources.
With a budget of approximately US$300 million, excluding launch expenses, UVEX is set for a two-year mission. The mission is led by principal investigator Fiona Harrison of Caltech, with contributions from the University of California at Berkeley, Northrop Grumman and the Space Dynamics Laboratory.
The legacy of the Explorers Program
UVEX is a continuation of NASA’s Explorers Program, which has been providing low-cost, frequent access to space for science investigations since 1958. The program has launched over 90 missions, including those that have significantly contributed to the field of astrophysics and led to Nobel Prizes. Managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the Explorers Program supports a wide range of scientific research activities, encompassing Earth studies, space weather, solar system exploration and the broader universe.
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Press release link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-nasa-mission-will-study-ultraviolet-sky-stars-stellar-explosions-302061136.html
