NASA launches UMass Lowell telescope that seeks to identify new planets

NASA launches UMass Lowell telescope that seeks to identify new planets

LOWELL — NASA recently launched a telescope designed and built by UMass Lowell and the space agency that seeks to identify planets beyond the solar system and other objects in space that would otherwise go unnoticed because they are hidden by the glare of nearby stars. Tethered to a gigantic helium balloon inflated to about 39 million cubic feet — about the size of a football field — the telescope lifted off at 11:40 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 1…