Infrared

Page
2

Slide 10

 

Stars

Infrared galaxies

Clouds of particles around stars

Nebulae

Interstellar molecules

Brown dwarfs

Planets

Slide 11

 

Clouds of Dust and Gas

Some bodies of matter in space are hidden behind huge clouds of dust particles or gas.

These include the centers of galaxies and clouds containing forming stars and planets.

Infrared telescopes allow scientists to view these regions much more easily

Slide 12

 

The Early Universe

The Universe is constantly expanding

Because of this, most of the radiation emitted from distant stars is in the infrared spectrum.

Our views of these distant bodies of matter in space actually show us how they looked a long, long time ago.

Slide 13

 

To gain a greater knowledge about bodies of matter in space, we need information about all of the different forms of radiation that they emit.

Slide 14

 

Sofia

Airborne Observatory

Reduces Atmospheric Interference

Will begin observing in 2005

Slide 15

 

SOFIA

747SP Aircraft

2.5 meter reflector

Largest telescope put in an aircraft

Slide 16

 

Ukirt

Earth-based

Largest infrared telescope

Located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii

3.8 meter reflector

A lot of atmospheric interference

Slide 17

 

Spitzer Space Telescope

Largest infrared telescope in space

No atmospheric interference

.85 m reflector

Cryogenically cooled so not to interfere with signals

Slide 18

 

Spitzer’s Cryostat

Infrared is mostly heat waves, Spitzer is cool so its own heat does not interfere with signals

1.4 degrees kelvin

Slide 19

 

Spitzer Images

Slide 20