A balloon over Antarctica will help NASA better study the Milky Way and nearby galaxies

NASA is looking for new ways to study our and neighbouring galaxies. For this purpose, the agency plans to launch a balloon.

Here's What We Know

The space agency has prepared a project GUSTO (Galactic / Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory). The purpose of the programme is to collect information to create a 3D-map of the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is one of the nearest galaxies. By the way, in the Southern Hemisphere it is visible to the naked eye.

The GUSTO project includes a balloon equipped with a telescope. It will fly at an altitude of more than 36 kilometres above Antarctica. The mission will last at least 55 days. Scientists believe that this instrument will allow them to better understand the process of star formation and the particles that are necessary for this.

It is possible that the balloon will set off on a flight as early as today. NASA's official website states that the launch will take place no earlier than December 21б 2023.

Source: NASA