A brief overview of the SOFIA Program, a flying telescope being put into service by NASA.

1. SOFIAStratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy By Chris Munson © Chris Munson 2009

2. Agenda What is SOFIA? SOFIA Platform SOFIA Team History of SOFIA Science Expectations Questions © Chris Munson 2009

3. What is SOFIA? SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) Flying observatory built into a Boeing 747SP Allows astronomical observations from anywhere in the world Flies above most of the atmosphere, to get a clearer picture of space © Chris Munson 2009

4. SOFIA Platform © Chris Munson 2009

5. SOFIA Telescope SOFIA uses a 2.5-meter reflector telescope. The optical system uses a Cassegrain reflector design with a parabolic primary mirror and a remotely configurable hyperbolic secondary. The telescope looks out of a large door in the side of the fuselage near the airplane's tail, and will initially carry nine instruments for infrared astronomy and high-speed optical astronomy © Chris Munson 2009

6. SOFIA Telescope © Chris Munson 2009

7. SOFIA Team NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Provides 80% of the funding for the program DLR (German Aerospace Center) Provides 20% of the funding and the telescope USRA (Universities Space Research Association) Contracted by NASA to run the SOFIA program Program management and science office is based at NASA Ames Aircraft is staged in Palmdale, California © Chris Munson 2009

8. History of SOFIA Replacement for the Kuiper Observatory Operated out of NASA Ames from 1974-1995 SOFIA Project was first proposed in 1984 Costs were split between NASA and DLR (Germany) since neither country could afford the entire program Plane was modified in Waco, Texas by L-3Com Plane was moved to Palmdale, California in 2007, with a brief stop at Moffett © Chris Munson 2009

9. Science Expectations The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study: Composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces Investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets Determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium Explore the formation of stars and other stellar objects. © Chris Munson 2009

10. Questions? © Chris Munson 2009