Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer Attached To VLT Depicts Galaxies and Objects in 3D

The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT)has a new instrument installed today that will help in observing distant galaxies. The Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer will help astronomers view far away objects such as galaxies and determine its properties such as mass and chemical composition. It can also capture images of these objects in high resolution 3D.

MUSE is an instrument that measures properties of light such as wavelengths and intensities and combines it with high resolution imaging. By using a technique called integral field spectroscopy, MUSE can study the properties of different parts of an object, measure its mass, and observe its rotation at the same time. With the advanced technology of MUSE in terms of sensitivity, efficiency and resolution, resulting images and data are far ahead of previous spectroscopic imaging.

With MUSE, astronomers can can move through the data and study different views of an object at different wavelengths, just like tuning a television to different channels at different frequencies.

This image above is of the Orion Nebula as imaged by MUSE early this year.

Photosynthesis Links Quantum Mechanics and Biology

An experiment using lasers and electronic spectroscopy on how photosynthesis works is further explained with quantum mechanics. Plants and other living organisms like algae and bacteria convert light to energy through a process called photosynthesis. Light energy (usually from the Sun) is converted to chemical energy to fuel their growth.

Electronic spectroscopy studies the electronic structure of a model and its dynamics in atoms and molecules.

Plants and other organism uses the light from the Sun as their energy source. More than 10 quadrillion photons of light hits a leaf every second. These photons are captured by the leaf and is utilized to help in the plants growth. By utilizing principles of quantum mechanics, scientists can trace the photosynthesis process on a nanoscale and further its understanding.

This can help in developing technologies that can benefit applications such as solar energy cells and biofuel production.