Question

Satellites designed to observe the radiation from cold (3 K) dark space have sensors that are shaded from the Sun, Earth, and Moon and that are cooled to very low temperatures. Why must the sensors be at low temperature?

a) Low temperature increases sensor sensitivity.

b) Low temperature reduces sensor sensitivity.

c) Low temperature prevents sensor damage.

d) Low temperature enhances sensor communication.

Answer 1

Satellite sensors need to be at low temperature to increase sensitivity and reduce background noise.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sensors on satellites designed to observe radiation from cold dark space are cooled to very low temperatures for two main reasons. Firstly, by cooling the sensors, astronomers can increasing their sensitivity to detect faint signals from space. Secondly, by isolating the sensors in a cold environment, it reduces the background noise caused by the heat radiation emitted by the telescope structure and optics, which could interfere with the measurements.