Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Mission

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a 2.7-meter (106-inch) reflecting telescope (with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters or 100 inches).

  • Flying into the stratosphere at 38,000-45,000 feet puts SOFIA above 99 percent of Earth’s infrared-blocking atmosphere, allowing astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes.
  • SOFIA is made possible through a partnership between NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR.
  • The observatory’s mobility allows researchers to observe from almost anywhere in the world, and enables studies of transient events that ....
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