NASA's new IR scope

Echo 6 Sierra

Reading the article at http://www.msnbc.com/news/961142.asp?0dm=C13NT I saw that it said the new scope needed about a month to cool down to optimal operating temperature. Why would it take a month?

E6S

enigma

Because there is nothing out in space for the object to conduct heat to.

An oven cools down because cooler air molecules bump into it, and take energy away.

In space there are very few molecules around, and those that are there are usually highly energetic. For that reason, spacecraft's heatsinks need to be designed to radiate heat away as electromagnetic radiation - a much slower process.

Phobos

Heat transfer occurs via convection, conduction, or radiation. As enigma said, convection & conduction are kinda tough in the vacuum of space. Radiation is slower and also has to fight against incoming radiation from other sources (like the Earth, sun).

Not to mention that getting down to near-absolute zero is no easy task.

Echo 6 Sierra

Thanks fella's.

Similar discussions for: NASA's new IR scope
Thread	Forum	Replies
Multisim: How to connect agilent scope?	Computing & Technology	1
Scope Creep	General Engineering	17
mounting a 'scope on the ISS	General Astronomy	2
foggy scope	General Astronomy	5

Echo 6 Sierra	NASA's new IR scope Reading the article at http://www.msnbc.com/news/961142.asp?0dm=C13NT I saw that it said the new scope needed about a month to cool down to optimal operating temperature. Why would it take a month? E6S

enigma Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor Staff Emeritus	Because there is nothing out in space for the object to conduct heat to. An oven cools down because cooler air molecules bump into it, and take energy away. In space there are very few molecules around, and those that are there are usually highly energetic. For that reason, spacecraft's heatsinks need to be designed to radiate heat away as electromagnetic radiation - a much slower process.

Phobos Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor Staff Emeritus	Heat transfer occurs via convection, conduction, or radiation. As enigma said, convection & conduction are kinda tough in the vacuum of space. Radiation is slower and also has to fight against incoming radiation from other sources (like the Earth, sun). Not to mention that getting down to near-absolute zero is no easy task.