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Will cosmic strings be discovered using the Space Telescope?Cosmic strings are topologically stable defects in the vacuum of space which may be produced by a phase transition in the early universe. Here, it is suggested that observations of very distant galaxies are a more useful means of discovering strings than quasar observations. It is argued that if there is only one string out to redshift z - about 1 the probability that it crosses a random image obtained using the Wide Field Camera (WFC) of the Space Telescope is about 0.0001. In order to discover a cosmic string the Space Telescope WFC will be required to operate almost continuously in primary and serendipity modes, and a cosmic string, if it exists, may be discovered within the first few years of operation.
Document ID
19860042317
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Pacynski, B.
(Princeton University New Observatory, NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 13, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 319
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
86A27055
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-765
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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