Spitzer Space Telescope


The Spitzer Space
Telescope is the fourth
and final of NASA’s Great
Observatories, each
observing the universe in
a different kind of light.
It measures infrared light
from the solar system and
distant galaxies.
Basic Facts




Launched August 25,
2003.
Expected Duration:
5+ years.
Orbit: earth-trailing,
heliocentric.
Telescope: 85 cm
diameter; largest
infrared telescope
ever launched into
space.
Innovations


Because infrared is
primarily heat radiation, the
telescope must be cooled to
near absolute zero:
protected from the Sun’s
heat and infrared radiation
from Earth.
It carries a solar shield and
orbits in an earth-trailing
solar orbit, which allows the
telescope to cool rapidly
and has reduced the cost of
the mission.
Infrared Light


Our eyes can only see visible light.
Infrared light is not visible to our eyes but can be
detected by instruments such as the Spitzer
Space Telescope.
Infrared Energy


Spitzer will obtain images
and spectra by detecting
infrared energy or heat
radiated by objects in
space between
wavelengths of 3 and 180
microns. (One micron =
.000001 meter)
Infrared radiation is
blocked by the Earth’s
atmosphere and cannot
be observed from the
ground.
Infrared Radiation
A Unique View of the Universe



Infrared light can
penetrate clouds of
gas and dust.
It allows us to view
regions of star
formation, and
centers of galaxies.
Cooler objects are
also visualized.
Orion as seen by Spitzer
Drifting behind the Earth




The Observatory
drifts behind the Earth
as it circles the Sun.
It drifts away from the
Earth at the rate of .1
AU per year.
Ambient temperatures
are 30 to 40 K.
It carries less cryogen
(coolant) than if in
Earth orbit.
Spitzer’s view of the sky
Andromeda Galaxy
Sombrero Galaxy
Cosmic Mountains of Creation
Cosmic Classroom

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_galleries/collection/
Cool Cosmos

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/

The Spitzer Space Telescope has an
Education and Outreach website that
contains background on infrared light and
the telescope itself.