From Moon's Far Side, CosmoCube to Look for First Radio Signal
India's PRATUSH telescope and the small satellite CosmoCube are set to explore the cosmic dawn by searching for the elusive 21-cm radio signal emitted by neutral hydrogen. Scheduled for launch before the end of the decade, CosmoCube will orbit the lunar far side to benefit from natural shielding against radio interference from Earth. This mission aims to provide unprecedented insights into the universe's Dark Ages, the Epoch of Reionization, and the expansion of the universe by bridging gaps in the cosmic microwave background.
Key Points
- CosmoCube will orbit the Moon's far side to avoid Earth-based radio interference and search for the 21-cm radio signal of neutral hydrogen.
- The mission aims to study the universe's Dark Ages and the Epoch of Reionization, providing insights into the formation of the first stars and galaxies.
- India's PRATUSH is a complementary proposed telescope to study radio emission and cosmological signals from space.
- The satellite will capture ultra-faint cosmic signals using highly sensitive onboard radio receivers operating in the 10-100 MHz frequency range.
Exam Facts
- CosmoCube is expected to be launched before the end of the decade.
- The satellite will orbit approximately 40 minutes on the lunar far side during its orbit every two hours.
- The 21-cm radio signal corresponds to a wavelength of 21 cm or 1,420 MHz frequency.
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