The SOFIA Observatory - Pamela Marcum (SETI Talks)
Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 6 Μαΐ 2016
NASA’s
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is a flying
observatory used by astronomers worldwide to conduct research at
primarily infrared wavelengths. The unique capabilities of this mobile
observatory enables scientific investigations ranging from our own Solar
System origins to how stars and their accompanying planetary systems
are formed. As an airborne telescope optimized for infrared data
collection, SOFIA offers the only regular access to the wide swath of
infrared wavelengths obscured by Earth’s lower atmosphere and
unavailable to ground-based observatories.
The presentation will
focus on scientific results, some surprise discoveries, and unique
analysis techniques utilizing SOFIA data. One dominant theme is how
stars are able to form in extreme environments such as in the Galactic
Center, where energetic radiation fields and a hot, turbulent medium in
the vicinity of a supermassive black hole would seemingly be unconducive
to the observed prolific star production. SOFIA offers unique tools for
such studies, such as the ability to reveal “fossil” kinematic
signatures showing the details of how a star forming cloud collapsed to
its current state, as well as providing “clocks” capable of directly
measuring the collapse timescales for comparison to theoretical
predictions. Dr. Marcum will demonstrate the value of infrared
observations, highlight major SOFIA discoveries and describe the
idiosyncrasies of operating a flying observatory.
SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is a flying
observatory used by astronomers worldwide to conduct research at
primarily infrared wavelengths. The unique capabilities of this mobile
observatory enables scientific investigations ranging from our own Solar
System origins to how stars and their accompanying planetary systems
are formed. As an airborne telescope optimized for infrared data
collection, SOFIA offers the only regular access to the wide swath of
infrared wavelengths obscured by Earth’s lower atmosphere and
unavailable to ground-based observatories.
The presentation will
focus on scientific results, some surprise discoveries, and unique
analysis techniques utilizing SOFIA data. One dominant theme is how
stars are able to form in extreme environments such as in the Galactic
Center, where energetic radiation fields and a hot, turbulent medium in
the vicinity of a supermassive black hole would seemingly be unconducive
to the observed prolific star production. SOFIA offers unique tools for
such studies, such as the ability to reveal “fossil” kinematic
signatures showing the details of how a star forming cloud collapsed to
its current state, as well as providing “clocks” capable of directly
measuring the collapse timescales for comparison to theoretical
predictions. Dr. Marcum will demonstrate the value of infrared
observations, highlight major SOFIA discoveries and describe the
idiosyncrasies of operating a flying observatory.
Κατηγορία
Άδεια
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