Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Mar 16, 2006 22:47:26 GMT -6
Origins Billion Star Survey
From the United States Navel Obsevatory is this cool astrometry mission:
OBSS is an astrometric satellite designed to determine with unprecedented accuracy the positions, distances, and motions of a billion stars within our galaxy. It is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) and several other institutions. OBSS will measure stellar positions to less than 10 microarcseconds. (To put this angle in perspective, the width of a typical strand of human hair would subtend 10 microarcseconds if you were viewing it from a distance of 650-900 miles.)
Astrometry is the foundation on which almost all of astronomy is based. Not only is it the oldest branch of astronomy, but astrometric measurements are the bedrock of methods for determining distances to astronomical objects. Modifications and improvements to this distance scale impact our understanding of astrophysical phenomenon both nearby and at cosmological distance scales.
OBSS site here: ad.usno.navy.mil/OBSS/
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This cool site was brought to my attention by our fellow Chicago Astronomer Kalvis.
Thanks for the lead!... ;D