“Kepler” went into emergency mode at 120 million kilometers from Earth – RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, April 10 – RIA Novosti The astronomical satellite telescope “Kepler”, who is looking for exoplanets for about half a day is in emergency mode, NASA reports

“.. during the scheduled contact with, that he was in emergency mode satellite system engineers discovered about 36 hours “-. said the report

NASA noted that the emergency mode is the lowest level of activity of the unit. Now the unit is 75 million miles (120 million kilometers) from Earth, the exchange of communications with the “Kepler” has been very slow. Last time engineers went out with him to pin 4 April telescope systems were in good condition.

Previously, the engineers intend to orient the satellite for maneuver to the center of the Milky Way as part of its observational mission, noted in NASA.

“Kepler” has left the building in 2013, but in 2014, experts managed to resurrect

The satellite telescope “Kepler” and others like him are looking for exoplanets so-called transit method -. they follow periodic dips in the brightness of stars, which can be caused by the passage of a relatively dark planet bright disco lights. This technique allows you to quickly, although not accurately find the planets and study their properties.