clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk |
PLANCK SPACE TELESCOPE
Planck is now the "coolest thing in space"
Planck will survey the famous Cosmic Microwave Background
This ancient light's origins date to 380,000 years after the Big Bang
It informs scientists about the age, shape and evolution of the cosmos
Planck's measurements will be finer than any previous satellite
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The observatory's detectors have been chilled to a staggering minus 273.05C - just a tenth of a degree above what scientists term "absolute zero."
Launched in May, Planck will survey the "oldest light" in the Universe.
Although laboratory set-ups have got closer to absolute zero than Planck, researchers say it is unlikely there is anywhere in space currently that is colder than their astronomical satellite.
This frigidity should ensure the bolometers will be at their most sensitive as they scan the sky for the target light.