NASA's PUFFINS Mission: Indian-Origin Scientist to Study Interstellar Dust

NASA's PUFFINS mission (Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in INterStellar dust) aims to study the tiny dust particles found between stars and their role in forming stars and planets. The mission is led by Indian-origin scientist Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche of the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory, and has received a $20 million award from NASA under its Astrophysics Pioneers programme. It is targeted for launch in 2030 and will study dust around about 70 stars using ultraviolet observations and polarimetry.

PUFFINS Mission Objectives

PUFFINS is a small satellite mission that aims to study the properties of interstellar dust by analysing how dust clouds affect the ultraviolet light of distant stars passing through them.

• Full name: Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in INterStellar dust
• Scientist: Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche
• Affiliation: Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
• NASA programme: Astrophysics Pioneers
• Award reported: US$20 million
• Type of satellite: small satellite (SmallSat)
• Telescope size: 10 inches
• Observations: ultraviolet light from 70 stars
• Target launch: 2030, as targeted by the mission team; the date is not certain
• Main purpose: to study small interstellar dust grains and their influence on star and planet formation

Who Is Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche?

Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche is an Indian-born astrophysicist, born near Bengaluru, who works as an assistant research professor at the Steward Observatory, University of Arizona. She is the Principal Investigator for PUFFINS, meaning she leads the mission's scientific investigations. Her research focuses on interstellar dust and how it interacts with light.

Importance of Interstellar Dust

Interstellar dust consists of small solid particles in the space between stars. Together with gas, it plays an important role in the formation of stars and planets.

• Star formation: denser regions of gas and dust can collapse under gravity and help form stars
• Planet formation: dust particles in discs around stars can collide and stick together to form larger bodies and possibly planets
• Chemical components: dust grains can act as sites for chemical reactions and contain elements and compounds needed for planets
• Astronomical observation: dust can absorb, scatter and polarise light, affecting observations

Studying interstellar dust does not prove that life exists elsewhere in space, but it could help explain how planets where life might form come into being.

How UV Polarimetry Works

PUFFINS would combine ultraviolet observation with polarimetry, the measurement of the polarisation of light.

1. Observing distant stars

The telescope would observe ultraviolet light from about 70 stars, including light that has travelled through interstellar dust.

2. Measuring polarisation

Special instruments measure the angle and degree of polarisation of light waves. Dust particles can affect the polarisation of starlight as it moves through space.

3. Understanding the dust

From polarisation that depends on wavelength, scientists can study the size, composition, orientation and distribution of dust particles. Ultraviolet observations are especially important for studying tiny dust particles.