stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (sofia) leaflet w/ocr

8/14/2019 Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Leaflet w/OCR

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STRATOSPHERIC

OBSERVATORY

FORINFRARED

ASTRONOMY

STRATOSPHERIC

OBSERVATORY

FORINFRARED

ASTRONOMY

STRATOSPHERIC

OBSERVATORY

FORINFRARED

ASTRONOMY

1 NASA


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Airborne AstronomySOFIA will be the next generation airborne observatory, giving astronomers routine access tothe infrared and submill imeter part of the spectrum. This rich and relatively unexplored spectralregion contains information critical for understanding a wide range of phenomena from theformation of planets, stars, and galaxies, to the evolution of complex organic molecules ininterstellar space. Although the water vapor in the Earth's lower atmosphere prevents almost allthe wavelengths in this region from reaching even our highest mountain top observatories, SOFIAwil l operate in the stratosphere where the view to space is largely unobstructed. Because SOFIAwill provide many research groups with frequent observing opportunities it will be an excellenttool for developing the expertise and technologies essential for future space missions.

IE tSOFIA

SOFIA 2.5 meter diameter telescope built

into a 747 5-6 hours observing time at alti

tudes above 41,000 feet Wavelength range: Visible through

the Infrared to the Microwave (.3-

1600 microns) Self -contained operations and datarecording capability

High quality images together withaccurate and stable pointing

Excellent spectral sensit ivity forstudying mass motion and chemical composition

Sensitive enough to detect any ofthe 279,000 discrete sources catalogued by the Infrared Astronomi

cal Satellite mission

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in


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The ProgramCONVAIR 990 LEARJET

1966 1968

KUIPER AIRBORNEOBSERVATORY

(C141)

1973

SOFIA

(747)

1996

NASA's airborne astronomy program began nearly 25 years ago and has progressed through aseries of increasingly capable observatories and more sophisticated instruments. Major discoveries include: rings around Uranus and Neptune; Pluto's atmosphere; water in the nucleus of CometHalley; powerful magnetic fields in the center of the Milky Way and in nearby galaxies. Startingshortly after the first sight ing of Supernova 1987A, airborne observations provided a unique viewdeep into the interior of the exploding star, giving the first direct evidence for the production ofsuch heavy elements as nickel, cobalt, and iron in the spectacular blast.

SOFIA

International facili ty operated in cooperat ion with the Federal Republic of Germany 120 astronomy research fl ights per year 40 research teams per year, flying 15-20 dif ferent instruments Based out of NASA's Ames Research Center with capabili ty to operate for extended periods

from airfields around the world Lifetime: 20 years

SOFIA'S unique capabilit ies will attract topnational and international talent. The observatory will provide outstanding trainingopportunities for the next generation ofspace scientists and engineers and foradvancing technology. With SOFIA'S frequent fl ights and "hands-on" environment,instruments do not have to be highly automated and can be developed and refinedrelatively quickly. This allows students theopportunity to participate in research pro

jects from start to finish within the period oftheir graduate studies.

Serves as a research base for 3-5 Ph.D.theses each year of operation

Accommodates large, experimental instruments

Support s cont inued U.S. leadership inthe development of critical sensor andinstrument technologies


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The New Front ierInf rared andSubmillimeter Astronomy

The infrared and submillimeter spectral regions play a unique role in astronomy because observa

tions at these wavelengths:

Reveal otherwise invisible cool matter Penetrate dust-enshrouded regions in interstellar space to explore the hidden universe Contain a wealth of spectral signatures characterizing astrophysical ly important molecules,

atoms, and ions

SOFIA'S combination of exceptional sensitivity, especially for high resolution spectral measurements, and excellent angular resolution will enable scientists to take advantage of the uniqueproperties of the infrared and submillimeter spectrum to further probe some of the fundamentalquestions of science.

How do stars form in our galaxy?

SOFIA'S high spatial resolution willpermit scientists to study the processby which large clouds break up intosmaller clouds eventual ly forming newstars. The new observatory's highspectral resolution will reveal thedynamical motions of the fragmentedclouds. SOFIA will also study newly

, formed stars in an attempt to under

stand how a young star both accumulates matter from its surrounding ne

bula and ejects matter from its polarNewly formed star (Artist conception) regions.

What powers the highly luminous phe-nomena hidden at the center of theMilky Waya compact star cluster ora black hole? Infrared radiation emitted by gas and dust at the core of ourGalaxy escapes the intervening cloudsthat completely block visible light.

The distribut ion and movement of thisgas and dust are strongly inf luencedby nearby massive objects in our Galaxy's center. SOFIA'S unique combination of wide spectral range andhigh spectral and spatial resolutionwill permit detailed study of the material at the center of our Galaxyandmay confirm or refute the existence ofa black hole.

Infrared Astronomical Satellite, Infrared Processing and Analysis Center.

Infrared view of thecenter of the Milky Way


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How common are planetary systemslike our Solar System? D ust and debrisdisks discovered around nearby starsmay be evidence of planets in formation. These disks are best studied atmid- and far-infrared wavelengths.SOFIA'S unique capabilities at thesewavelengths will enable scientists todiscern the structure of the disks at

stages that correspond to the epochof planetary formation around ourown Sun. Such observations will provide direct tests of theories that attempt to explain how our Solar System came into being.

B.A. Smith, University of Arizona, and R.J. Terrile, JPL.

Visible light view of Beta Pictoris,nearby young star

How do complex organic moleculesform and evolve inspace?Recent discoveries have shown that a multitude

of organic molecules exist in interstellar space. SOFIA will allow scientiststo search for the sites where complexorganic molecules form and to studythe evolution of such molecules throughout the interstellar medium. In thisway, observations from SOFIA willprovide additional clues to further ourunderstanding of how life began andhow widespread it might be in theUniverse.

Model of a complex organic moleculea polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon


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National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (sofia) leaflet w/ocr

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