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Chapter 15: Problem 48

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5 -meter telescope on a modified Boeing 747 aircraft. Go to the SOFIA website (http://sofia.usra.edu). Why have astronomers put an infrared telescope on an airplane? What has been detected with this telescope?

Short Answer

Expert verified
SOFIA's airborne position enables clearer infrared observation by avoiding atmospheric interference. Discoveries include water on the Moon's sunlit surface and complex space molecules.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Need for Infrared Astronomy

Infrared astronomy focuses on observing astronomical objects in infrared wavelengths. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs most infrared radiation, making ground-based observations difficult.
02

Importance of an Airborne Telescope

An infrared telescope placed on an aircraft like SOFIA can fly above most of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere, allowing it to capture clearer and more detailed infrared images.
03

Research the SOFIA Mission

Visit the SOFIA website (http://sofia.usra.edu) to learn about the objectives and history of the mission. Understand how SOFIA operates and what makes it a valuable tool for astronomers.
04

Discover SOFIA's Discoveries

Explore the discoveries and significant observations made using the SOFIA telescope. Key discoveries include the detection of water on the sunlit surface of the Moon and the identification of complex molecules in space.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Infrared Wavelengths
Infrared wavelengths are a type of electromagnetic radiation. They are longer than visible light waves but shorter than microwave waves.
Infrared light is often used to study objects in space because it can penetrate dust clouds. This allows astronomers to see objects that are hidden in visible light.
Many cooler objects in the universe, such as stars in their early formation stages and dusty regions of galaxies, emit most of their light in the infrared.
However, the Earth's atmosphere absorbs a lot of infrared radiation. This makes it hard to observe from the ground.
Airborne Telescope
Using an airborne telescope like SOFIA removes many of the limitations faced by ground-based infrared observatories.
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is unique because it operates from a modified Boeing 747 aircraft.
This allows it to fly at altitudes between 38,000 and 45,000 feet, above most of the Earth's water vapor.
By placing the telescope above the majority of the atmosphere, SOFIA can capture clearer, more detailed images than those taken from the ground.
SOFIA can also be flown to different locations to observe specific events or objects of interest. Its mobility gives it flexibility over fixed-ground-based observatories.
Astronomical Observations
SOFIA has made numerous significant astronomical observations since its inception.
One of its notable discoveries is the detection of water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This was a groundbreaking finding, as it showed that water could be more widespread on the Moon than previously thought.
SOFIA has also identified complex molecules in space, contributing valuable information about the makeup and processes within our universe.
Another critical observation includes studying the formation of stars and the composition of planetary atmospheres.
These discoveries have expanded our understanding of the cosmos and are pivotal in ongoing astronomical research.

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