Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)

Definition

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a NASA mission designed to search for exoplanets using the transit method. Launched in 2018, TESS focuses on finding planets around the brightest stars near Earth over a two-year period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. TESS uses four wide-field cameras to monitor large sections of the sky.
2. Its primary mission is to survey 85% of the sky, focusing on stars within approximately 200 light-years from Earth.
3. TESS identifies exoplanets by detecting periodic dips in a star's brightness caused by a planet passing in front of it.
4. The satellite orbits Earth every 13.7 days, allowing it to have a consistent view of different sectors of space.
5. TESS has discovered thousands of potential exoplanets, some of which are Earth-sized and located within the habitable zone.

Review Questions

• What method does TESS use to discover exoplanets?
• How many wide-field cameras does TESS use for its observations?
• Why is TESS focused on stars within 200 light-years from Earth?

Related terms

Transit Method: A technique for detecting distant planets by observing the dimming effect that occurs when they pass in front of their host star.

Exoplanet: A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.

Habitable Zone: The region around a star where conditions might be right for liquid water to exist, potentially allowing for life.