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Pasadena - Oct 20, 2003 The Space Infrared Telescope Facility, NASA's fourth and final Great Observatory, has been successfully focused reported NASA October 13. This crucial milestone ¿ which will enable the observatory's infrared eyes to see the cosmos in clear detail ¿ was achieved after a series of delicate adjustments were made to the telescope's secondary mirror. Since launch on Aug. 25, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility has performed as expected, proceeding through in-orbit checkout activities on schedule. In addition to achieving final focus, the telescope has cooled to an operating temperature of approximately 5 Kelvin (-268 Celsius or -451 Fahrenheit). This cold temperature will allow the observatory to detect the infrared radiation, or heat, from celestial objects without picking up its own infrared signature. "The science community now has an outstanding observatory with which to study the universe," said Dr. Michael Werner, project scientist for the mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "We are eager to complete the fine-tuning of the observatory and begin the science program." In-orbit checkout activities are scheduled to continue for 11 more days, after which a one-month science verification phase will occur. Following this, the science program will begin. From its innovative Earth-trailing orbit around the Sun, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility will pierce the dusty darkness enshrouding much of the universe, revealing galaxies billions of light years away; brown dwarfs, or failed stars; and planet-forming discs around stars. Related Links Space Infrared Telescope Facility SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Chip Billionaire Helps Fund Giant New Telescope
Pasadena - Oct 20, 2003The dream of a giant optical telescope to improve our understanding of the universe and its origin has moved a step closer to reality today. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded $17.5 million to fund a detailed design study of the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT). This new grant allows the California Institute of Technology and its partner, the University of California, to proceed with formulating detailed construction plans for the telescope.
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