Astronomers for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, program recently conducted five nights of telescope testing
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SOFIA Quick-FactsAircraft, telescope and historical hightlights.
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Sensational SOFIA
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA arrived at Dryden this summer, marking a transition from significant modification of the aircraft to accommodate the largest airborne telescope to the start of flight tests, completion of subsystems integration and, eventually, to the task of exploring the heavens.
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Science Instruments Ready for SOFIA Airborne Telescope
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP overflies its home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. (NASA photo / Jim Ross)
Scientists are busy preparing for the "First Light" flight of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, a highly modified Boeing 747SP with a 2.5-meter (8.2-foot) diameter infrared telescope installed in its rear fuselage. The first-light astronomical observation flights are now tentatively scheduled for Spring 2010 from NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
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06.11.09
04.13.09
04.07.09
NASA's SOFIA infrared observatory 747SP overflies its home, the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. (NASA photo / Jim Ross)Scientists are busy preparing for the "First Light" flight of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, a highly modified Boeing 747SP with a 2.5-meter (8.2-foot) diameter infrared telescope installed in its rear fuselage. The first-light astronomical observation flights are now tentatively scheduled for Spring 2010 from NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
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Latest News
Astronomers Assess SOFIA Telescope Systems
NASA Science Aircraft Get New Home
 "Several NASA science aircraft occupied the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility")
Earth and space science aircraft fit nicely into Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility.
SOFIA Science Mission Operations Director Selected
Erick Young, a widely recognized authority on infrared astronomy, has been appointed science mission operations director for NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA.
News and Events Features
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HIPO Photometer Installed on SOFIA Telescope
The High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation, or HIPO, instrument was installed on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope Nov. 17.
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Scientists Selected for New Airborne Eye on the Universe
Three astronomers to participate in first scientific observations to be conducted by the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
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NASA Reinstalls Main Mirror in SOFIA Airborne Observatory
Engineers and technicians from NASA, the German Space Agency and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut recently reinstalled the German-built primary mirror assembly into NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, airborne observatory.
Overview
SOFIA OverviewNASA is developing the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - or SOFIA - as a world-class airborne observatory that will complement the Hubble, Spitzer, Herschel and James Webb space telescopes and major Earth-based telescopes.
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