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Sofia: the future of airborne astronomy
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Erickson, Edwin F. Davidson, Jacqueline A. |
| Copyright Year | 1995 |
| Description | For the past 20 years, the 91 cm telescope in NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) has enabled scientists to observe infrared sources which are obscured by the earth's atmosphere at ground-based sites, and to observe transient astronomical events from anywhere in the world. To augment this capability, the United States and German Space Agencies (NASA and DARA) are collaborating in plans to replace the KAO with a 2.5 meter telescope installed in a Boeing 747 aircraft: SOFIA - The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. SOFIA's large aperture, wide wavelength coverage, mobility, accessibility, and sophisticated instruments will permit a broad range of scientific studies, some of which are described here. Its unique features complement the capabilities of other future space missions. In addition, SOFIA has important potential as a stimulus for development of new technology and as a national resource for education of K-12 teachers. If started in 1996, SOFIA will be flying in the year 2000. |
| File Size | 1461426 |
| Page Count | 27 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19960003712 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t41s1qx09 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1995-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Astronomy Boeing 747 Aircraft Galaxies Sofia Airborne Observatory Stratosphere Infrared Astronomy Infrared Spectra Accretion Disks Stellar Envelopes Astronomical Observatories Wavelengths International Cooperation Infrared Telescopes Space Missions Star Formation Education Apertures Infrared Radiation Solar System Interstellar Matter Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports ServerĀ (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |