{"id":30742,"date":"2022-03-29T12:19:14","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T12:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=106544"},"modified":"2022-03-29T12:39:13","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T12:39:13","slug":"how-nasas-sofia-flying-observatory-views-the-universe-in-infrared","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-nasas-sofia-flying-observatory-views-the-universe-in-infrared\/","title":{"rendered":"How NASA\u2019s SOFIA flying observatory views the Universe in infrared"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Kimberly Ennico-Smith\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 29 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

T<\/span>he world\u2019s premier flying observatory is unravelling the mysteries of our Universe by studying fundamental processes affecting the formation of stars<\/a>, planets<\/a> and galaxies<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

SOFIA, which stands for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, features a Hubble-sized telescope in a modified Boeing 747SP, flying high into Earth\u2019s stratosphere (12km) to enable us to study the infrared Universe<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does SOFIA view in infrared?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A map of the famous Horsehead Nebula in Orion, produced using SOFIA data. Red areas are carbon monoxide molecules sheltered by the nebula. Green areas are carbon atoms and ions that have been blasted by radiation from nearby stars. Credits: NASA\/SOFIA\/J. Bally et. al<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Why infrared? Over half of the \u2018light we see\u2019 in the Universe is radiation that has been absorbed by dust and re-emitted at infrared wavelengths.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of the space between stars is filled with atomic and molecular gas \u2013 mainly hydrogen and helium \u2013 and tiny pieces of dust (solid particles), composed of heavier elements like carbon, oxygen and silicon.<\/span><\/p>\n

By observing the infrared light we are seeing both the ingredients for new stars \u2013 gas and dust \u2013 and leftover dust that has been created by both stellar birth and death.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does SOFIA do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The interior of NASA\u2019s SOFIA observatory. Credit: NASA\/SOFIA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

We still do not know how, when and where stars form. We have a rough idea but the variety of star-forming regions seen today indicates it is a complicated process.<\/span><\/p>\n

SOFIA employs a suite of instruments to tackle the underlying triggers or inhibitors of star formation.<\/span><\/p>\n

By periodically changing its equipment SOFIA reaps the benefits of cutting-edge technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, the GREAT (German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies) spectrometer is ideally suited to measuring spectral lines in a variety of star-forming environments.<\/span><\/p>\n

This improves our knowledge of how stars form at the earliest stages, specifically by looking at gas in molecular clouds.<\/span><\/p>\n

With GREAT, we can observe emissions from ionised carbon and atomic oxygen to understand shocks, thermal conditions and collapsing motions of gas that can form new stars.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, GREAT hunts for small molecules called hydrides, the basic building blocks of chemical pathways in our Universe, to probe the physical conditions in these clouds.<\/span><\/p>\n

SOFIA\u2019s polarimeter, HAWC+ (High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-plus), can map magnetic fields<\/a> on the scales of star-forming clouds and \u2018snake-like\u2019 filaments.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Magnetic field lines of the Whirlpool Galaxy mapped by SOFIA, shown over a Hubble Space Telescope image of the galaxy. Credit: NASA, the SOFIA science team, A. Borlaff; NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI) and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI\/AURA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Spinning dust grains aligned in the presence of magnetic fields emit polarised light. HAWC+ detects this and derives the geometry \u2013 and perhaps strength \u2013 of surrounding magnetic fields.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are on the verge of observational evidence that can tell us whether magnetic fields help guide gas flowing onto filaments to a point where they become unstable and initiate gravitational collapse to form stars, or if they prevent clouds from collapsing to form stars.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is the Holy Grail of understanding star formation within our reach?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Magnetic field lines in a star-forming region 1,400 lightyears away, mapped by SOFIA as part of a study showing how magnetic fields fuel star formation. Credit: NASA\/SOFIA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This marvel of an airplane-mounted telescope, unaffected by light turbulence, equipped with a high-tech instrument suite and able go wherever the science demands, brings new perspectives in pursuit of astronomy\u2019s most ancient questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information visit sofia.usra.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared in the January 2019 issue of <\/strong><\/em>BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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