Early Science with SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

TL;DR

SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747 flying at high altitudes to observe infrared and submillimeter wavelengths, enabling unique astronomical observations above most water vapor interference, with initial science flights starting in 2010.

Contribution

This paper provides an overview of SOFIA's design, instruments, and early science performance, highlighting its capabilities for infrared astronomy from an airborne platform.

Findings

SOFIA has conducted 30 science flights since December 2010.

Three instruments (FORCAST, GREAT, HIPO) have flown during early science.

Initial results demonstrate SOFIA's effectiveness in infrared observations.

Abstract

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne observatory consisting of a specially modified Boeing 747SP with a 2.7-m telescope, flying at altitudes as high as 13.7 km (45,000 ft). Designed to observe at wavelengths from 0.3 micron to 1.6 mm, SOFIA operates above 99.8 % of the water vapor that obscures much of the infrared and submillimeter. SOFIA has seven science instruments under development, including an occultation photometer, near-, mid-, and far-infrared cameras, infrared spectrometers, and heterodyne receivers. SOFIA, a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center DLR, began initial science flights in 2010 December, and has conducted 30 science flights in the subsequent year. During this early science period three instruments have flown: the mid-infrared camera FORCAST, the heterodyne spectrometer GREAT, and the occultation photometer HIPO. This article provides an overview of the observatory and its early performance.