Since its very first flight in 2007, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, otherwise called SOFIA, has actually observed deep space from 41,000 feet above the Earth’s surface area. Now, the distinct area telescope housed in a customized Boeing 747 has actually taken its last flight. In honor of the flight, NASA has actually shared a few of the most awesome SOFIA telescope images caught in the last years.
SOFIA has actually been an ingenious method to take a look at deep space utilizing infrared, the very same innovation that now powers NASA’s James Webb area telescope. Unlike ground-based telescopes, which can’t translucent the water vapor in the Earth’s environment, SOFIA observed area from over 40,000 feet in the air. This permitted it to translucent the environment more plainly, catching a better view.
With SOFIA grounded, NASA astronomers will continue combing the information that the flying area telescope caught. In the meantime, NASA has actually shared a couple of SOFIA telescope images that you require to see for yourself.
NASA shared the images on Instagram. The very first image in the brief collage is of Centaurus A, a galaxy that includes dark orange-red dust lanes through a blue outside. Centaurus A looks definitely beauti