An Overview of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy Since Full Operation Capability

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation

article

Kimberly Ennico¹  Eric E. Becklin²  Jeanette Le³  Naseem Rangwala¹  William T. Reach²  Alan Rhodes¹  Thomas L. Roellig¹  George Sarver¹  Pasquale Temi¹  Harold W. Yorke²  Eddie Zavala¹ 

[1] NASA Ames Research Center;SOFIA Science Center, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center;NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center

关键词: Infrared astronomy;    airborne astronomy;    spectroscopy;    NASA;    DLR;   

DOI  :  10.1142/S2251171718400123

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center DLR, provides access to observations of the infrared and sub-millimeter universe. As its development timeline is unique compared to all other NASA astrophysics missions, a milestone called the Full Operation Capability (FOC) was defined to identify the start of science operations. SOFIA reached this in February 2014. With a wide range of imagers, spectrometers and a new polarimeter, SOFIA provides unique scientific results that cannot be obtained with a ground-based facility and any spacecraft expected in the next decade. The airborne platform has continued to mature its mission systems as part of a planned spiral development approach, particularly with upgradable instrumentation that opens up new science directions for the Observatory. A third generation instrument is planned for commissioning in 2019. This paper summarizes the current state of the Observatory with emphasis on the science and instrumentation updates since FOC.

【 授权许可】

Unknown