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NASA’s flying telescope. Since 2010, a telescope has been observing the atmosphere of planets and the formation of stars from 13,000 metres altitude. Thanks to SOFIA, a modified Boeing 747, scientists hope one day to be able to pierce the greater mysteries of the universe… This is not a plane in the normal sense, but a NASA and German Aerospace Centre flying observatory. SOFIA, a shortened version of the four-engined Boeing 747 SP, bought in 1997, has since undergone many changes, including this opening in the rear part of the fuselage. In flight, the door slides open, and an infrared telescope points toward the universe, allowing scientists to study, amongst other things: the composition of the atmospheres and surfaces of planets, and the formation of stars. « Il y a beaucoup de matière dans l’univers : de la poussière, des planètes comme la Terre, des nuages, l’espace… mais elles sont trop froides pour que l’on puisse les voir naturellement, mais grâce à l’infra-rouge nous sommes capables de les détecter, de les voir et de mesurer leurs propriétés » "There is a lot of matter in the universe: dust, planets like Earth, clouds, space ... but they are too cold for that we can see of course, but thanks to the infra- red we are able to detect, see and measure their properties ." The telescope has a primary mirror of nearly three metres diametre. The collected light is analyzed by nine instruments: infrared cameras and spectrometers; an absolute gem of technology, all arranged in a protective shell which isolates the camera from the vibrations of the aircraft, and whose accuracy and power could illuminate a coin with a mini-flashlight at a distance of 16 km ( 10 miles ). The first operational flights of this unusual observatory began three years ago. Each mission lasts an average of 10 hours in the stratosphere, at an altitude of between 12,000 and 13,000 metres ( 39,000 to 43,000 feet); and for one good and simple reason. "We always try to be as high as possible, because if the infrared are difficult to observe from Earth because of the steam that block through SOFIA we avoid 99% of the water vapor from the atmosphere." In 2010, the telescope was able to observe the heat from Jupiter, which had never been done before. The NASA flying observatory will perhaps, one day, reveal the mysteries of the origin of life in the universe. In 2010, the telescope was able to observe the heat from Jupiter, which had never been done before. The NASA flying observatory will perhaps, one day, reveal the mysteries of the origin of life in the universe.
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NASA’s flying telescope

12/07/2013

DESCRIPTION : Since 2010, a telescope has been observing the composition of the atmospheres of planets and the formation of stars from 13,000 metres altitude. Thanks to SOFIA, a modified Boeing 747, scientists hope one day to be able to pierce the greater mysteries of the universe…

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