NASA's new ant study revealed how space lasers could measure the depth of snow. Although this might seem not that useful, experts stated that it could really help check nature.
(Photo : Photo by NASA)
Advanced space transportation concepts, such as antimatter, laser propulsion, solar sails and fusion-driven vehicles as shown in this artist's concept could lead to human exploration of the Solar System and beyond.
For the past few years, lasers have been used for various technologies. Most of these are complicated, such as land observation, road navigation, etc.
Now, NASA discovered a not-so-complicated usage of lasers. This is specifically measuring the depth of snow. Experts said that ants' behavior inspired the space agency's new discovery.
NASA Ant Study Reveals Space Laser's Capability To Measure Snow Depth
According to The Wired's latest report, Yongxiang Hu, a NASA physicist, believed that space lasers also have the same behavior as ants.
"We can measure that distance of each individual photon traveling inside the snow," said Hu.
(Photo : Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
A skier enjoys the slopes of the Pirin Mountains on March 3, 2015. Bulgaria receives more than 13% of its GDP from low-cost tourism in its three major ski resorts and seaside resorts along the Black Sea. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF
Photons have different behaviors when passing through different surfaces. For example, these neutral particles will take longer when bouncing off a valley floor.
But, its speed will be faster if it hits the top of a mountain. When it comes to snow, experts calculated that when photons pass through snow, they travel twice as far as the depth.
This new discovery about space lasers is quite intriguing. However, how is it really useful?
How Useful is Snow Depth Measuring?
Researchers stated that being able to measure the depth of snow can be quite handy when it comes to climate change. If space lasers are used to identify the snow depth, experts can monitor water supplies, as well as the sea ice's health in the Arctic.
On the other hand, scientists can also use space lasers to identify the thickness of sea ice, allowing them to know how climate change affects the Arctic and Antarctic.
Aside from the ant-inspired space laser innovation, Gizmodo reported that NASA is also expecting its new tissue box-sized satellite to break the laser spewed record.
If you want to know more details about the advanced TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) system, you can visit this link.
Previously, the NASA CAPSTONE spacecraft was confirmed to enter an unusual orbit between the Earth and the moon.
Meanwhile, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a new photo of star-forming galaxies.
For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming space innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
