This month's AE presenter: Kailash Kalidoss
Date of presentation: 28 Oct 1029
Subject: SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA was awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the project.
CAP members from Group 2 were invited to get up close with SOFIA, an airborne observatory that visited NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California on 19-October-2019. Some lucky CAP members got a unique opportunity to interact with the Mission Operator and learn some unique insights about the SOFIA project.
SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP, a special wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar and celestial objects.
For more information watch the YouTube video on SOFIA and view the presentation to CAP, Squadron 80 on 28-Oct-2019.
