Herschel and SOFIA synergies
Abstract
The very successful Herschel space mission observed in the important wavelength range between about 60 and 600 microns, most of which is completely inaccessible from the ground. After its conclusion and with no similar major space observatory becoming available in the near future, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, is the one facility that can still provide the astronomical community on a regular basis with new observations in the large spectral gap left betweeen JWST and ALMA. In addition, SOFIA allows for instrument augmentations, as new state-of-the-art photometric, spectrometric, and polarimetric capabilities have been added and are being further improved. The fact that SOFIA provides ample mass, power, computing capabilities as well as 4K cooling, eases the constraints on future instrument design, technical readiness, and the instrument build to an extent not possible for space-borne missions. We will review and compare the existing legacy data from Herschel with the growing instrumental capabilities of SOFIA and highlight specific science areas where the stratospheric observatory will be able to significantly advance Origins science topics.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E3039S