Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
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The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) who are providing the telescope. Universities Space Research Association (USRA) was awarded the prime contract by NASA in 1996 for development and operation of the observatory. In February 2006 NASA placed the project "under review" and suspended funding. A decision will be made about restoration of FY'07 funds for SOFIA in June '06.
SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP airliner modified to carry a 2.5 meter diameter reflecting telescope for infrared astronomy observations at altitudes of about 41,000 feet (~12 km) in the stratosphere. Its flight capability will allow it to rise above almost all of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere (allowing observations at some infrared wavelengths which are blocked by the atmosphere before reaching ground-based facilities), as well as travel to almost any point on the earth's surface for observations. The telescope looks out of a large door in the side of the fuselage near the airplane's tail, and will initially carry nine instruments for infrared astronomy in wavelengths from 0.35–655 micrometres.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar objects.
SOFIA completed its first [ground-based "on-sky" test] on 18–19 August 2004 by taking a picture of the star Polaris. The telescope has not yet been operated on any test flights (as of February 2006). However, when testing is complete, it is hoped that observing flights will be flown 3 or 4 nights a week for the next 20 years. SOFIA will be based at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California (near San Jose, CA).
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