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Which type of detector would you place aboard the satellite to study wavelengths coming from space that measures10 -4 cm?

User Lebenf
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Final answer:

To study 1 millimeter wavelengths from space, a detector designed for far-infrared or submillimeter radiation, like those used in space observatories such as the Spitzer Space Telescope, would be suitable.

Step-by-step explanation:

To study wavelengths coming from space that measure 10-4 cm (which is equivalent to 1 millimeter), you would likely use a detector tuned to the far-infrared or submillimeter range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This wavelength is outside the range detectable by radio telescopes, which are typically used for much longer wavelengths, such as those detected by the Arecibo radio telescope, with an average wavelength of 4.00 cm. To observe wavelengths in the millimeter and submillimeter range, one could use instruments like those aboard specialized space observatories, which include a cryogenically cooled detector to reduce noise from infrared radiation emitted by the telescope itself and the surrounding environment.

It is essential for the telescope carrying this detector to be situated above Earth's atmosphere or to utilize high-altitude balloons, as Earth's atmosphere absorbs most of the radiation in this range. Therefore, a detector like those used in the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Planck Surveyor, or the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope would be suitable for this purpose. These instruments can observe in the far-infrared to submillimeter range and are equipped to record and analyze the incoming wavelengths, providing valuable data on various celestial objects and phenomena.

User Blake Regalia
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