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Planck space telescope retires from observing the early universe
After nearly 4.5 years of watching the stars, the Planck telescope is officially out of action. European Space Agency scientists have shut off the observation satellite now that it has both finished its mission and parked in a "permanent hibernation" orbit around the Sun. The telescope accomplished a lot during that short lifespan, however -- by creating a detailed map of cosmic background radiation, Planck gave us a snapshot of the early universe that will help us understand the evolution of space. Researchers still haven't finished studying Planck's findings, which suggests that the spacecraft's legacy will last well beyond the final transmission.
Planck telescope maps the universe in search of primordial light
Yep, that innocuous-looking picture above is the whole freaking universe, as perceived by the Planck telescope -- a long-wave light detector that's been catapulted into space to search for Big Bang clues. The European Space Agency is using it in order to get the most precise information to date on Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (apparent in the image as the magenta and yellow mush in the, ahem, background), which could in turn enlighten us on the conditions that gave rise to all of us omnivores prowling a gravity-assisted, ozone-protected, floating rock. The first mapping run took just over six months to complete, but the plan is to produce four such images using the Planck's super-cold (nearly at absolute zero) sensors before retiring the thing. Results are expected no sooner than 2013, so please do slide back from the edge of your seat.
