Editing 1730: Starshade
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
โ | [[Megan]] | + | [[Megan]] and [[Ponytail]] are talking about {{w|space telescopes}} in general. Megan says that these telescopes could see {{w|exoplanets}} better by using {{w|occulting disks}}, in the form of free floating opaque discs, that could block out light from the exoplanets' stars, thus enabling the telescopes to see the weak light from the planets when the glare of the stars has been diminished. |
She continues by explaining that the scientists behind the new {{w|James Webb Space Telescope}}, at the time of the comic scheduled to launch in 2018, thought about including such a disk (a ''{{w|starshade}}''), but that it was cut for {{w|James_Webb_Space_Telescope|budget reasons}}. Ponytail asks if it has to be their own disk, and then decides to kickstart a fundraiser to ''build'' a starshade. Ponytail is referring to the crowdfunding site {{w|Kickstarter}}, although there is no actual project for a starshade for Webb (or for the New Worlds Mission; see title text explanation) on Kickstarter. Megan asks her to at least warn the scientists if she makes the starshade, but Ponytail just replies "whatever". | She continues by explaining that the scientists behind the new {{w|James Webb Space Telescope}}, at the time of the comic scheduled to launch in 2018, thought about including such a disk (a ''{{w|starshade}}''), but that it was cut for {{w|James_Webb_Space_Telescope|budget reasons}}. Ponytail asks if it has to be their own disk, and then decides to kickstart a fundraiser to ''build'' a starshade. Ponytail is referring to the crowdfunding site {{w|Kickstarter}}, although there is no actual project for a starshade for Webb (or for the New Worlds Mission; see title text explanation) on Kickstarter. Megan asks her to at least warn the scientists if she makes the starshade, but Ponytail just replies "whatever". | ||
โ | The final panel shows the {{w|NASA}} control center in 2018 when the Webb telescope is being calibrated. It turns out that Ponytail succeeded and did indeed not warn the scientists. [[Cueball]] is surprised by the disc -- | + | The final panel shows the {{w|NASA}} control center in 2018 when the Webb telescope is being calibrated. It turns out that Ponytail succeeded and did indeed not warn the scientists. [[Cueball]] is surprised by the disc -- and possibly by what the disc might have printed on it, given its crowdfunded origins -- but [[Hairbun]] immediately notices exoplanets, implying that Ponytail's plan worked. |
'''Note''' that the telescope has {{w|James_Webb_Space_Telescope#Partnership|partners from 20 countries}} and is being operated not only by NASA but also by {{w|European Space Agency}} (ESA), {{w|Canadian Space Agency}} (CSA), and the {{w|Space Telescope Science Institute}} (STScI). | '''Note''' that the telescope has {{w|James_Webb_Space_Telescope#Partnership|partners from 20 countries}} and is being operated not only by NASA but also by {{w|European Space Agency}} (ESA), {{w|Canadian Space Agency}} (CSA), and the {{w|Space Telescope Science Institute}} (STScI). |