SUPERCONDUCTORS AND TELESCOPES

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SUPERCONDUCTORS AND TELESCOPES

• BY MELANIE LONG

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How have Superconductors and the effects of
magnetic fields have been applied to develop the
Maglev train?

• Running alongside the track are walls with a
  continuous series of vertical coils of wire
  mounted inside. The wire in these coils is not a
  superconductor. As the train passes each coil,
  the motion of the superconducting magnet on the
  train induces a current in these coils, making
  them electromagnets. The electromagnets on the
  train and outside produce forces that levitate
  the train and keep it centered above the track.
  In addition, a wave of electric current sweeps
  down these outside coils and propels the train
  forward.

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Discuss possible applications of
Superconductivity and the effects of those
applications on computers, generators and motors
and transmission of electricity through power
grids.

• NASA is looking at how superconductors could be
  used for space. For example, the gyros that keep
  satellites oriented could use frictionless
  bearings made from superconducting magnets,
  improving the satellites' precision. Also, the
  electric motors aboard spacecraft could be a mere
  1/4 to 1/6 the size of non-superconducting
  motors, saving precious volume and weight in the
  spacecraft's design.

• TRANSMISSIONS
• GENERATORS
• POWERGRIDS
• COMPUTERS

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Astrophysics

• Telescopes

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Explain why it is desirable for telescopes to
have a large diameter objective lens or mirror in
terms of both sensitivity and resolution.

• The sensitivity of a telescope is its ability to
  pick up faint objects for observation.

• The resolution of a telescope is its ability to
  distinguish two close objects as separate images.
  It is measured as an angle.

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• Adaptive optics uses a fast feedback system to
  attempt to correct for effects of atmospheric
  turbulance.
• Interferometry a technique used to combine the
  data from several elements of an antenna array in
  order to achieve a higher resolution.
• Active Optics uses a slow feedback system to
  correct sagging or other deformities in the
  primary mirror of large modern reflector
  telescopes.