SOFIA

SOFIA is Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. It is a joint project of NASA and German Aerospace Center DLR. SOFIA aims to construct and maintain an airborne observatory.

What is SOFIA?

• SOFIA accommodates on a Boeing 747 aircraft. It has a 2.5 metre diameter reflecting telescope. The telescope is designed to observe infrared astronomy in stratosphere at an altitude of 12 kilometres.
• SOFIA has the flight capability of rising above all the water vapor in the earth atmosphere.
• The aircraft can travel above any point on the earth in both northern and southern hemispheres.
• The observatory of SOFIA is based at Armstrong Flight Research Centre located in Palmdale regional airport of California. The centre is operated by NASA.

What is the purpose of SOFIA?

• The main objective of SOFIA is to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces.
• SOFIA will investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets.
• SOFIA will determine physics and chemistry of interstellar medium
• It will explore the formation of stars
• In 2015, the dwarf planet Pluto passed between a distant star and the earth. This allowed SOFIA to study the atmosphere of Pluto.

What is AAA Program of SOFIA?

SOFIA was designed to support public education. AAA is Airborne Astronomy Ambassador Program. The program includes planetarium educators, science museum, public outreach specialists. They spread the findings of SOFIA to the public.