|
| |
SOFIA's Infrared Technology
| SOFIA is
expanding and extending the infrared
observations begun more than 20 years ago
with the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO).
The Earth's atmosphere absorbs most infrared
light, as well as gamma rays, X-rays, and
ultraviolet light. Flying at 41,000 feet,
the KAO was above 85 percent of the Earth's
atmosphere and more than 99 percent of
theEarth's water vapor. In this clear, dry
environment, astronomers aboard the KAO have
studied radiant heat patterns from stars,
planets, and other celestial sources -
radiation normally absorbed by atmospheric
water vapor before reaching the Earth's
surface. For more details on the SOFIA
observation objectives, try clicking on http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov
|
|
