Latest Science and Status of Your Flying Observatory - SOFIA
Abstract
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a unique community-driven airborne observatory. It provides regular access to the mid-infrared and far-infrared sky at wavelengths impossible to observe from the ground or any current space-based mission. Because half of the radiant energy in the universe emerges at these wavelengths, SOFIA investigates a diverse range of targets in the Solar System, in the Milky Way, and in distant galaxies, and addresses NASA's astrophysics three Big Questions: How does the Universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone? By design, SOFIA has continued to mature its mission systems as part of a planned spiral development approach, particularly with upgradable instrumentation that opens up new science directions for the Observatory. Just recently, a far-infrared photometer polarimeter achieved first light and is delivering new insights about the role of magnetic fields in star forming regions and in other galaxies. A third generation mid/far-infrared imager/spectrometer instrument is planned for commissioning in 2019, which will enable studies of the mass and composition of protoplanetary disks. In this next decade, deeper studies of the infrared and submillimeter universe are enabled by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST, launch, March 2021), and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA, operational since 2013). As exceptional as these facilities are, coverage of the wavelengths where JWST ends and where ALMA begins, the part of the spectrum most important to understanding the physics of the interstellar medium, is provided by SOFIA. Additionally, SOFIA has and continues to enable long-term studies and follow-up work initiated by Spitzer, Herschel, Hubble, Chandra, and several ground-based submillimeter observatories. These are exciting times for infrared and submillimeter astronomy. Here we summarize recent SOFIA-enabled science results, its current instrument suite performance, and developments in the science program through the SOFIA Legacy Science Program and transfer of the science archive to IRSA. https://www.sofia.usra.edu
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #233
- Pub Date:
- January 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AAS...23314621E