What’s Getting Through to You?

Science of SOFIA: NASA’s Airborne Infrared Observatory

Presented by: Kathy Ivey Wilson, Comal ISDSteven Biles, McKinney ISD

Presentation Outline● TEKS for Activity● Why Airborne Astronomy?● SOFIA program history● SOFIA Advantages and Capabilities● SOFIA Education Outreach● Active Astronomy activity: Hidden Images

8th Grade Science(8) (8) Earth and Space. The student knows characteristics of the universe.

The student is expected to :

(C) explore how different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum such as light and radio waves are used to gain information about distances and properties of components in the universe

TEKSWhat’s Getting Through to You?

Science of SOFIA

Astronomy

(2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to:(G)organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict

trends from data, including making new revised hypotheses when appropriate;

(11)Science concepts. The student knows the characteristics and life cycle of stars. The students is expected to:(F) relate the use of spectroscopy in obtaining physical data on

celestial objects such as temperature, chemical composition, and relative motion

Chemistry

(6) Science concepts. The student knows and understands the historical development of atomic theory. The student is expected to:

(B) understand the electromagnetic spectrum and the mathematical relationships between energy, frequency, and wavelength of light

Integrated Physics and Chemistry

(5) Science concepts. The student recognizes multiple forms of energy and knows the impact of energy transfer and energy conservation in everyday life. The student is expected to:(G)explore the characteristics and behaviors of energy

transferred by waves, including acoustic, seismic, light, and waves on water as they superpose on one another, bend around corners, reflect off surfaces, are absorbed by materials, and change direction when entering new materials

Physics(2) Scientific processes. The student uses a systematic approach to answer

scientific laboratory and field investigative questions. The student is expected to:(J) organize and evaluate data and make inferences from data,

including the use of tables, charts,, and graphs(K) communicate valid conclusions supported by the data through

various methods such as lab reports, labeled drawings, graphic organizers, journals summaries, oral reports, and technology-based reports

(7) Science concepts. The students knows the characteristics and behavior of waves. The student is expected to:(C)compare characteristics and behaviors of transverse waves,

including electromagnetic waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, and characteristics and behaviors of longitudinal waves, including sound waves

Constellation Orion in visible wavelength

NASA SOFIA Mission

Objects appear different depending on type of light

Constellation Orion in far-infrared wavelength

NASA SOFIA Mission

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared AstronomyJoint venture of NASA and the German Aerospace Center

SETI

SOFIA's relatively high operating altitude (39,000 to 45,000 feet) is above 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere

SOFIA conducts observations that ground based telescopes cannot.

Since SOFIA flies almost anywhere in the world, can use a variety of instruments,

and make modifications as needed, it is more adaptable than any space-based telescope.

NASA allocated funding for study of aircraft astronomy in mid 1980’s. Funding postponed year after year. Finally in 1997 dedication ceremony held at NASA Ames and proposals went out to observing community.

http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/space/lfs/kao_abov.jpg

● First Light Instruments selected. ● In 2000 1st two instruments were completed.● In 2002 telescope arrived in Waco from Germany.● April of 2007 SOFIA completes first flight in Waco,

Texas. ● In May 2007 SOFIA was flown to Dryden Flight

Research Center for systems installation and integration.

NASA-SOFIA

● In 2009 SOFIA achieved first 100% open door flight.● First Light achieved on May 25/26, 2010. Objects targeted were Jupiter

and Messier 82 galaxy. ● Science observing phase begins in 2010 with first two instruments.● Early 2012 educators selected to fly on SOFIA.● In April 2013 SOFIA made 100th science flight. ● November 2013 Comet ISON targeted.● Another 1st generation instrument delivered.● In April 2013 SOFIA made 100th science flight.

NASA SOFIA

EXES instrument flew in April 2014 for first time.

SOFIA advantages relative to the Hubble Space Telescope:● IR: objects much cooler than normal stars like the Sun

● IR: objects inside or behind interstellar dust clouds;

● IR: organic molecules in space

SOFIA relative to the Herschel Space Observatory:● SOFIA has 7 (1st-gen) instruments vs. Herschel’s 3

● SOFIA will have 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-generation instruments

● SOFIA’s design lifetime of 20 yrs vs. Herschels 4 yrs

Adaptable to multiple instruments

Faint Object Infrared Camera for the SOFIA Telescope Field Imaging Far Infraredl Line Spectrometer Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph

German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies First Light Infrared Test Experiment Camera High Speed Imaging Photometer for Occulation

Steve Kathy

Teacher Associate Project for EXESGoal: prepare teachers to promote astronomy in community

prepare teachers for flight experience on SOFIAprovide opportunities for teachers to learn principles of

astronomyand technology behind instrument development

provide hands-on activities and interactive talks with co-investigators

provide opportunities to attend national conferences and visit McDonald ObservatoryWhen: 3 Saturdays per semester--next meeting December 6thWhere: University of Texas--Austin

Contact: Dr. Keely Finkelstein http://www.as.utexas.edu/astronomy/research/exes/epo/announce.html

SOFIA’s Airborne Astronomy AmbassadorsSOFIA’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) effort is a professional development program aspiring to improve teaching, inspire students, and inform the community.

Applications are due by December 22, 2014.

Apply to Fly.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Radiation!

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Information from the SkiesElectromagnetic radiation: Transmission of energy through space without physical connection through varying electric and magnetic fields

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Wave motion: Transmits energy without the physical transport of material

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Waves in What?

Water waves, sound waves, and so on, travel in a medium (water, air, …)

Electromagnetic waves need no medium

Created by accelerating charged particles

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc.

Waves in What?Electromagnetic waves: Oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Changing electric field creates magnetic field, and vice versa.

Spectroscopy

Spectroscope: Splits light into component colors

Spectral Lines

Emission lines: Single frequencies emitted by particular atoms

Spectral Lines

Emission spectrum can be used to identify elements

Spectral Lines

Absorption spectrum: If a continuous spectrum passes through a cool gas, atoms of the gas will absorb the same frequencies they emit

Spectral Lines

An absorption spectrum can also be used to identify elements. These are the emission and absorption spectra of sodium:

Spectral Lines

Kirchhoff’s Laws:

• Luminous solid, liquid, or dense gas produces continuous spectrum

• Low-density hot gas produces emission spectrum

• Continuous spectrum striking a cool, thin gas produces absorption spectrum

Spectral Lines

Kirchhoff’s laws illustrated:

Spectral Lines

Emission lines can be used to identify atoms

The Formation of Spectral Lines

Molecular spectra are much more complex than atomic spectra, even for hydrogen:

(a) Molecular hydrogen (b) Atomic hydrogen

Molecules

Information that can be gleaned from spectral lines:

• Chemical composition

• Temperature

• Radial velocity

Spectral-Line Analysis

Active Astronomy (“AA”)classroom kitMiddle School physical science / High School

physics

● 4 activities comparing and contrastingvisual & infrared light

● Teachers’ guide including curricular material,pre-/post-tests, parts list available for download at:

http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/materials/edu_materials.html

● Can request more EM spectrum posters via same page

Active Astronomy (AA) classroom kit

Four activities comparing and contrasting V & IR light◆ What’s Getting Through To You (EM Spectrum, Colors,

Bandpasses)> Light Filters (Gels)

◆ Seeing the Invisible (Detecting Infrared Light)> Detector Circuit & Holographic Grating

◆ Reflection of Visual and Infrared Light> Mirror and Detector Circuit

◆ Listening to Light (Transmitting information using Infrared Light)> CD player, Transmitter Circuit, Detector Circuit

Further information:◆ SOFIA Science Center home page / my e-mail address

• http://www.sofia.usra.edu• dbackman@sofia.usra.edu

◆ SETI Institute• http://www.seti.org

◆ Astronomical Society of the Pacific• http://www.astrosociety.org

◆ Spitzer Space Telescope’s award-winning infrared tutorial• http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu(includes instructions for home-made Herschel demo)

Helpful Links:What’s Getting Through. . . Teacher and Student Materialshttp://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/materials/activeAstronomy/section2.pdf

Images for Activityhttp://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/materials/activeAstronomy/section2-images.pdf

Other Activities for Learning About Infrared Lighthttp://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/materials/activeAstronomy/activeAstronomy.html

About SOFIAhttp://www.sofia.usra.edu/Sofia/sofia.html

EXES Education and Public Outreachhttp://www.as.utexas.edu/astronomy/research/exes/epo/announce.htmlhttp://www.as.utexas.edu/astronomy/research/exes_epo.html

SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors Programhttp://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/programs/ambassadors/ambassadors.html

Credits

NASAUniversity of California Davis, EXES ProgramSOFIA Education and Public OutreachSpace DailyGoogle Images