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Q:
What problems could the chandra face?
A:
Probably the most serious problem Chandra faces is from solar
flares, especially the ones that generate large amounts of high
energy particles. These particles can damage the detectors and
the electrons. Chandra has monitors that warn of such events,
and precautions are taken to guard against damage, but the
danger cannot be eliminated completely. Another problem is
meteors. The time of meteor swarms is known, and Chandra is
pointed in a direction to safeguard the mirrors, but there is
always the chance --fortunately very unlikely--that a meteor
could strike Chandra and cause damage.
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A magnetic cloud of plasma from a solar flare can
affect Earth and damage satellites such as Chandra. The
white lines represent the solar wind; the purple line
is the bow shock produced by the interaction of the
solar wind with the Earth's protective magnetosphere
(blue lines). (Image not to scale.) Credit: NASA/SOHO
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