WFIRST: The Best of Both Worlds

The video discusses the capabilities of different telescopes, highlighting the WFIRST telescope's unique ability to combine the power of the Hubble Space Telescope with a much larger sky coverage. WFIRST aims to conduct a comprehensive survey of planetary systems in our galaxy using gravitational microlensing. It will also feature a coronagraph to image dim planets near bright stars and correct errors with deformable mirrors. The mission could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about dark energy and involve the public through citizen science initiatives. WFIRST is expected to be a significant space mission in the 2020s.

What is the main advantage of WFIRST compared to the Hubble Space Telescope?

• It can see further into space.

• It has a larger field of view.

• It is cheaper to operate.

• It can detect more colors.

What astronomical phenomenon does WFIRST use to conduct a census of planetary systems?

• Stellar parallax

• Lunar transits

• Gravitational microlensing

• Solar eclipses

What is the purpose of the coronagraph on WFIRST?

• To measure the distance to stars

• To image dim planets near bright stars

• To enhance the telescope's resolution

• To detect radio waves from galaxies

What groundbreaking discovery is WFIRST expected to contribute to?

• The age of the universe

• The nature of dark energy

• The existence of black holes

• The speed of light

How does citizen science contribute to the WFIRST mission?

• By funding the project

• By building telescope components

• By analyzing data from millions of galaxies

• By launching the telescope