|
Credit & Copyright: Ian Griffin
(Otago Museum)
Explanation:
SOFIA, the
Stratospheric Observatory
for Infrared Astronomy,
is a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a
large reflecting telescope
into the stratosphere.
The ability of the airborne facility to climb
above about 99 percent of Earth's infrared-blocking atmosphere
has allowed researchers to observe from almost anywhere over the planet.
On
a science mission
flying deep into the southern auroral oval,
astronomer Ian Griffin, director of New ZealandÁs Otago Museum,
captured
this view
from the observatory's south facing starboard side on July 17.
Bright star Canopus shines in the southern night
above curtains of
aurora australis, or southern lights.
The plane was
flying
far south of New Zealand at the time at
roughly 62 degrees southern latitude.
Unfortunately,
after
a landing at Christchurch
severe weather damaged SOFIA
requiring repairs and the cancellation of the remainder of
its final southern hemisphere deployment.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: telescope - infrared
Publications with words: telescope - infrared
See also: