Far-infrared astronomy

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Far infrared image of the Andromeda galaxy from the Herschel Space Observatory

Far-infrared astronomy is the branch of

μm towards submillimeter wavelengths around 450 μm).[1]

In the far-infrared, stars are not especially bright, but emission from very cold matter (140 Kelvin or less) can be observed that is not seen at shorter wavelengths. This is due to

molecular clouds.[2]

These emissions are from dust in

Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey mapped the galaxy for the first time in the far-infrared.[2]

Telescopes

On 22 January 2014,

asteroids, are typically considered to "sprout jets and plumes". According to one of the scientists, "The lines are becoming more and more blurred between comets and asteroids."[4]

Herschel Space Observatory

The Earth's atmosphere is opaque over most of the far-infrared, so most far-infrared astronomy is performed by satellites such as the Herschel Space Observatory,[5] Spitzer Space Telescope, IRAS, and Infrared Space Observatory. Upper-atmosphere observations are also possible, as conducted by the airborne SOFIA telescope.

Ground-based observations are limited to submillimetre wavelengths using high-altitude telescopes such as the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, the High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz Telescope and the Submillimeter Array.

See also

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-521-54810-6
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  2. ^ a b "Near, Mid and Far-Infrared". Caltech Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. Archived from the original on 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  3. S2CID 4448395
    .
  4. ^ a b Harrington, J.D. (22 January 2014). "Herschel Telescope Detects Water on Dwarf Planet - Release 14-021". NASA. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. S2CID 118533433
    .
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