Latest Infrared astronomy Stories

Most astronomers wouldn't dream of opening their observatory's doors in 100 mph winds. Yet NASA's new SOFIA telescope recently flew in an airplane at 250 mph with doors wide open.On Dec. 18th, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), flew in a modified Boeing 747 at 15,000 feet for one hour and 19 minutes. For two minutes of that time, the door by the telescope was wide open."This was the first time the door was fully opened in flight," says Bob Meyer, SOFIA...

You don't always have to have a rocket to do rocket science. Sometimes a mere airplane will do "“ that is, a mere Boeing 747 toting a 17-ton, 9-foot wide telescope named SOFIA.Short for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA will observe the universe while gliding through the stratosphere at 45,000 feet. When it begins operations next year, it will be the world's biggest, most advanced airborne observatory."SOFIA is set to achieve some spectacular science," says project...

NASA has awarded a contract modification to L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P., of Waco, Texas, for further developmental engineering in support of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy mission, known as SOFIA.This option modification under the base contract L-3 currently holds extends the period of performance through Dec. 31, 2009. The option is valued at approximately $8.7 million, bringing the total value of the contract to about $37.7 million.The initial...

COLUMBIA, Md., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is proud to announce that Dr. Eric Becklin has been selected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (the Academy). One of the world's foremost infrared astronomers, Dr. Becklin has played a significant role in laying the basis for the modern science of astronomy with wide-ranging work that includes the discovery of the location of the nucleus of the Milky Way, one of the...

PPARC -- A new astronomical camera has begun operations on the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) in Hawaii. The Wide Field Camera (WFCAM), built at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC), Edinburgh, is the world's most powerful infrared survey camera. It will survey large regions of the sky at infrared wavelengths and is expected to discover both the nearest objects outside our Solar System and the farthest known objects in the Universe.WFCAM has the largest field of view of any...