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| Paper: |
SOFIA - Science Potential for Extrasolar Planet Reseaarch |
| Volume: |
294, Scientific Frontiers in Research on Extrasolar Planets |
| Page: |
591 |
| Authors: |
Sandell, G.; Becklin, E. E.; Dunham, E. W. |
| Abstract: |
The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. The telescope was delivered to the U.S. in September 2002 and will be integrated into the aircraft in early 2003. First science flights will begin in late 2004. Once fully operational the observatory will do 960 observing hours/year, with an expected lifetime of over 20 years. We give an overview of the characteristics of the observatory and its first suite of nine instruments, three of which are facility instruments, five are principal investigator instruments and one is a specialty instrument. |
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