NASA's New Alloy Enhances Exoplanet Detection and Habitability Research
NASA is researching a negative thermal expansion alloy called Alloy 30 that shrinks when heated, to improve the stability of future space telescopes like the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which aims to detect exoplanets by observing faint signals near bright stars. Tests show Alloy 30 can offset the expansion of other materials, potentially enhancing the precision and stability of space instruments critical for exoplanet research.