The Paranal Solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) achieved “first light” at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. The solar telescope will support exoplanet detection by analysing stellar noise from Sun-like stars. Best Book for Current Affairs & General Knowledge Preparation
PoET operates with the ESPRESSO spectrograph installed at ESO’s Very Large Telescope. ESPRESSO stands for Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanet and Stable Spectroscopic Observations.
The telescope studies how stellar activity, including sunspots and surface fluctuations, interferes with exoplanet detection signals. Such stellar “noise” often masks Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars.
PoET includes a 60-cm main solar telescope and an additional imaging telescope. The system simultaneously captures spectra from the entire solar disc and selected solar regions.
Scientists use the Sun as a reference star because its surface can be observed in exceptional detail. The project aims to improve ultra-precise radial velocity techniques used in exoplanet discovery.
The observatory is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, considered among the world’s best astronomical observation sites due to extremely dry atmospheric conditions and minimal light pollution.
PoET is remotely operated by Portugal’s Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences. Data from the telescope will be accessible through ESO’s Science Archive Facility for global researchers.
ESPRESSO previously achieved radial velocity precision below 50 centimetres per second, making it among the world’s most advanced exoplanet-hunting spectrographs.
Expected Current Affairs Questions for UPSC CDS NDA and AFCAT 2 2026 Written Exam
Q1. The Paranal Solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) is primarily designed for:
A. Detecting gravitational waves
B. Mapping dark matter
C. Improving exoplanet detection accuracy
D. Monitoring asteroids
Answer: C. Improving exoplanet detection accuracy
Explanation: PoET studies stellar noise from Sun-like stars to refine exoplanet detection methods.
Q2. The PoET telescope is located in which desert region?
A. Gobi Desert
B. Mojave Desert
C. Atacama Desert
D. Sahara Desert
Answer: C. Atacama Desert
Explanation: ESO’s Paranal Observatory operates in Chile’s Atacama Desert, known for ideal astronomical conditions.
Q3. ESPRESSO instrument, associated with PoET, is mainly a:
A. Radio antenna
B. Space probe
C. High-resolution spectrograph
D. Infrared camera
Answer: C. High-resolution spectrograph
Explanation: ESPRESSO is an ultra-precise spectrograph used for detecting rocky exoplanets through radial velocity measurements.
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