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Spitzer Space Telescope

Spitzer Space Telescope. The Spitzer Space Telescope is the fourth and final of NASA’s Great Observatories, each observing the universe in a different kind of light. It measures infrared light from the solar system and distant galaxies. Basic Facts. Launched August 25, 2003.

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Spitzer Space Telescope

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  1. Spitzer Space Telescope • The Spitzer Space Telescope is the fourth and final of NASA’s Great Observatories, each observing the universe in a different kind of light. • It measures infrared light from the solar system and distant galaxies.

  2. Basic Facts • Launched August 25, 2003. • Expected Duration: 5+ years. • Orbit: earth-trailing, heliocentric. • Telescope: 85 cm diameter; largest infrared telescope ever launched into space.

  3. Innovations • Because infrared is primarily heat radiation, the telescope must be cooled to near absolute zero: protected from the Sun’s heat and infrared radiation from Earth. • It carries a solar shield and orbits in an earth-trailing solar orbit, which allows the telescope to cool rapidly and has reduced the cost of the mission.

  4. Infrared Light • Our eyes can only see visible light. • Infrared light is not visible to our eyes but can be detected by instruments such as the Spitzer Space Telescope.

  5. Infrared Energy • Spitzer will obtain images and spectra by detecting infrared energy or heat radiated by objects in space between wavelengths of 3 and 180 microns. (One micron = .000001 meter) • Infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground.

  6. Infrared Radiation

  7. A Unique View of the Universe • Infrared light can penetrate clouds of gas and dust. • It allows us to view regions of star formation, and centers of galaxies. • Cooler objects are also visualized.

  8. Orion as seen by Spitzer

  9. Drifting behind the Earth • The Observatory drifts behind the Earth as it circles the Sun. • It drifts away from the Earth at the rate of .1 AU per year. • Ambient temperatures are 30 to 40 K. • It carries less cryogen (coolant) than if in Earth orbit.

  10. Spitzer’s view of the sky Andromeda Galaxy

  11. Sombrero Galaxy

  12. Cosmic Mountains of Creation

  13. Cosmic Classroom • http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_galleries/collection/

  14. Cool Cosmos • http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ • The Spitzer Space Telescope has an Education and Outreach website that contains background on infrared light and the telescope itself.

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