The Life Story of an Infrared Telescope

The Life Story of an Infrared Telescope PDF

Author: John K. Davies

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2016-02-11

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 3319235796

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Written by one of the astronomers who 'lived the dream' of working there this book is a restrospectively expanded diary featuring the 'birth and long life' of what was a truely innovative telescope. Based on input received from people involved in its planning, building, operation, and many scientists who observed with it, the author tells this success story of The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). Conceived in the mid 1970's as a cheap and cheerful light-bucket for the newly emerging field of infrared astronomy it has re-invented itself once a decade to remain at the forefront of infrared astronomy for more than 30 years. Even in 2012 / 2013, when ironically it faced almost certain closure, it remained one of the most scientifically productive telescopes in the world. Everybody, including amateur and professional astronomers, interested in real astronomy projects will enjoy reading that story and meet (again) the persons who lived it.

Making the Invisible Visible

Making the Invisible Visible PDF

Author: Renee M. Rottner

Publisher:

Published: 2017-01-17

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9781626830363

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In the early 1970s, there was a small group of advocates for an infrared space telescope; however, the field of infrared astronomy was only a few years old, and no one had ever built a space-based observatory of the required complexity. Considering the technical, political, scientific, and economic uncertainties, it was not obvious that a project like SIRTF could-or should-be dared by NASA. How did SIRTF manage to overcome these uncertainties? This monograph makes visible the invisible forces that influenced the design of SIRTF's innovative technology. The lessons learned by the project team over the course of building SIRTF, now better known as the Spitzer Space Telescope, are about managing innovation over time and in the face of uncertainty.

Making the Invisible Visible

Making the Invisible Visible PDF

Author: Natoinal Space Administration

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-11-03

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9781979381208

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This publication, "Making the Invisible Visible: A History of the Spitzer Infrared Telescope Facility (1971-2003)," makes visible the invisible forces that influenced the design of Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF's) innovative technology. The lessons learned by the project team over the course of building SIRTF, now better known as the Spitzer Space Telescope, are about managing innovation over time and in the face of uncertainty. These are universal lessons, applicable to any project whose stakeholders control the necessary resources. SIRTF's stakeholders focused on a variety of issues: technical, scientific, political, and economic, as well as organizational needs and goals. What made SIRTF's evolution particularly difficult was that the stakeholders changed over time-in their composition, goals, and influence.

More Things in the Heavens

More Things in the Heavens PDF

Author: Michael Werner

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2019-06-25

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0691175543

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A sweeping tour of the infrared universe as seen through the eyes of NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope Astronomers have been studying the heavens for thousands of years, but until recently much of the cosmos has been invisible to the human eye. Launched in 2003, the Spitzer Space Telescope has brought the infrared universe into focus as never before. Michael Werner and Peter Eisenhardt are among the scientists who worked for decades to bring this historic mission to life. Here is their inside story of how Spitzer continues to carry out cutting-edge infrared astronomy to help answer fundamental questions that have intrigued humankind since time immemorial: Where did we come from? How did the universe evolve? Are we alone? In this panoramic book, Werner and Eisenhardt take readers on a breathtaking guided tour of the cosmos in the infrared, beginning in our solar system and venturing ever outward toward the distant origins of the expanding universe. They explain how astronomers use the infrared to observe celestial bodies that are too cold or too far away for their light to be seen by the eye, to conduct deep surveys of galaxies as they appeared at the dawn of time, and to peer through dense cosmic clouds that obscure major events in the life cycles of planets, stars, and galaxies. Featuring many of Spitzer’s spectacular images, More Things in the Heavens provides a thrilling look at how infrared astronomy is aiding the search for exoplanets and extraterrestrial life, and transforming our understanding of the history and evolution of our universe.

Infrared Astronomy – Seeing the Heat

Infrared Astronomy – Seeing the Heat PDF

Author: David L. Clements

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-11-21

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 148223727X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Uncover the Secrets of the Universe Hidden at Wavelengths beyond Our Optical Gaze William Herschel’s discovery of infrared light in 1800 led to the development of astronomy at wavelengths other than the optical. Infrared Astronomy – Seeing the Heat: from William Herschel to the Herschel Space Observatory explores the work in astronomy that relies on observations in the infrared. Author David L. Clements, a distinguished academic and science fiction writer, delves into how the universe works, from the planets in our own Solar System to the universe as a whole. The book first presents the major telescopes in the world of observational infrared astronomy, explains how infrared light is detected through various kinds of telescopes, and describes practical problems that send infrared astronomers to the tops of mountains and their telescopes into orbit and beyond. Much of the book focuses on what infrared astronomers find in their observations. You’ll discover what infrared astronomy reveals about the planets, moons, and other bodies that constitute our Solar System; star formation and stellar evolution; the processes that shape galaxies; and dark energy and dark matter. Infrared astronomy has revolutionized our understanding of the universe and has become essential in studying cosmology. Accessible to amateur astronomers, this book presents an overview of the science and technology associated with infrared astronomy. With color figures, it shows you how infrared astronomy provides insights into the workings of the universe that are unavailable at other wavelengths.

The Telescope

The Telescope PDF

Author: Geoff Andersen

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 9780691129792

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A history of the telescope includes discussion of such related topics as the dark-adapted human eye, interferometry, adaptive optics, and remote sensing.

Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope

Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2005-02-28

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 0309165458

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has operated continuously since 1990. During that time, four space shuttle-based service missions were launched, three of which added major observational capabilities. A fifth â€" SM-4 â€" was intended to replace key telescope systems and install two new instruments. The loss of the space shuttle Columbia, however, resulted in a decision by NASA not to pursue the SM-4 mission leading to a likely end of Hubble's useful life in 2007-2008. This situation resulted in an unprecedented outcry from scientists and the public. As a result, NASA began to explore and develop a robotic servicing mission; and Congress directed NASA to request a study from the National Research Council (NRC) of the robotic and shuttle servicing options for extending the life of Hubble. This report presents an assessment of those two options. It provides an examination of the contributions made by Hubble and those likely as the result of a servicing mission, and a comparative analysis of the potential risk of the two options for servicing Hubble. The study concludes that the Shuttle option would be the most effective one for prolonging Hubble's productive life.

Lanterna Rally - Theme by Grace Themes