What are the preliminary results from the Planck First Light Survey?

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The Planck team has released preliminary results from the First Light Survey, indicating that the instrument is functioning well and producing higher-resolution, lower-noise maps compared to WMAP. Planck operates across a broader frequency range, with 9 channels from 30GHz to 857GHz, compared to WMAP's 5 channels from 23GHz to 94GHz. However, no scientific results are available yet, as comprehensive analysis requires the satellite to survey the entire sky at least twice. The mission is a collaborative effort between ESA and NASA, showcasing advanced technology in cosmological research. The excitement surrounding the results highlights the potential for significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.
Chalnoth
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The Planck team have put out a press release their (very preliminary) results for the First Light Survey:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Planck/SEM5CMFWNZF_0.html

The basic gist: the instrument is working, and it's already producing higher-resolution and lower-noise maps than WMAP offers at the same frequency bands, and Planck offers a much wider range of frequencies (WMAP = 5 channels from 23GHz to 94GHz, Planck = 9 channels from 30GHz to 857GHz). No science results yet, as there are many things that can't be done until Planck surveys the whole sky at least twice.

More in-depth information is available here:
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=45543
 
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Great news!
 
my gob, what an incredibly beautiful piece of technology...i don't recall where the funding came from for this effort, but whoever they are, thank you thank you.
 
jnorman said:
my gob, what an incredibly beautiful piece of technology...i don't recall where the funding came from for this effort, but whoever they are, thank you thank you.
Haha, it's a joint ESA/NASA mission :)
 

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