NASA to launch balloon into the stratosphere to study the cosmos

The Astros mission involves a cutting-edge telescope carried by a balloon into the stratosphere to observe far infrared light, which is blocked by Earth's atmosphere. Managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the mission aims to study the motion and speed of gas around newly formed stars and observe four main targets, including star-forming regions in the Milky Way and the galaxy Messier 83. The mission is planned to launch from Antarctica in December 2023, with the balloon reaching an altitude of about 40 kilometers.

What is the primary purpose of the telescope carried by the Astros mission?

• To study the surface of Mars

• To observe the Earth's atmosphere

• To capture visible light images

• To measure the motion and speed of gas around newly formed stars

What is the planned launch location for the Astros mission?

• The Amazon Rainforest

• The Sahara Desert

• The Arctic Circle

• Antarctica

How wide will the balloon be when fully inflated?

• 150 meters

• 200 meters

• 100 meters

• 50 meters

Which organization is managing the Astros mission?

• SpaceX

• Roscosmos

• NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

• European Space Agency

What is TW Hydrae?

• A black hole

• A young star with a disk of dust and gas

• A planet

• A galaxy