1. Astro4Girls Sunnyvale Library Mar 20, 2012

3. What is Infrared light? Light itself is made up of lots of different “colors”. Raindrops and prisms pull those colors “apart”. But … there is more light that we can’t see, both here ……………….. and here

4. EVERYTHING THAT OUR EYES SEE IS WITHIN THIS SMALL WAVELENGTH RANGE!

5. ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SPECTRUM DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS CAUSE DIFFERENT “COLORS” OR TYPES OF “LIGHT”!

6. Why Infrared Astronomy? Infrared observations probe temperature differences within otherwise fairly cool things

7. WHY INFRARED ASTRONOMY? Page 7

8. Texas Christian University March 5, 2010 VisibleNear InfraredMid-Infrared At visible ’s, the star forming region appears as a dark nebula, heavily obscured by interstellar dust. At near-infrared ’s, the dust is nearly transparent, revealing the dust-enshrouded stars in their formation phase Mid and far-IR observations trace dust emission D ifferent wavelengths give unique information:

9. Spectroscopy: another kind of picture-taking Spectroscopy is like taking a picture of the light from something, spreading into a rainbow and recording that rainbow. Infrared spectroscopy is just imaging the infrared rainbow of an object

11. Page 11 Infrared spectrum is filled with lines created by molecules  measurement of the strengths of these lines provides information regarding the temperature and composition.

12. Page 12 http://www.geologywales.co.uk/storms/index.htm The stratosphere’s “temperature inversion” minimizes air turbulence, giving SOFIA: (1) a smooth ride, … and … (2) a nearly water-free environment SOFIA The Earth’s atmosphere is full of water

13. Page 13 Water in the atmosphere is BAD for infrared observations SOFIA FLIES HIGH, WHERE THE INFRARED LIGHT IS!

14. Occultation Astronomy with SOFIA Earth Motion of Occulting Object Shadow of Occulting Object MOBILITY! Pluto occultation light curve observed on SOFIA on June 23, 2011 Brightness Time

16. Page 16 Example of a Flight Path http://www.astropix.com

17. Page 17 AN INSIDE LOOK …

18. Primary Mirror Pressure Bulkhead Light Tube Spherical Hydraulic Bearing Secondary Mirror Infrared Light Mirror Visible Light Mirror HOW SOFIA WORKS PRIMARY MIRROR PRESSURE BULKHEAD SCIENCE INSTRUMENT (But first, let’s get oriented!)

19. Primary Mirror Visible Light Camera Pressure Bulkhead Light Tube Spherical Hydraulic Bearing Secondary Mirror Infrared Light Mirror Visible Light Mirror Infrared Instrument HOW SOFIA WORKS Incoming Infrared Light

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