{"id":9829,"date":"2023-12-22T18:05:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T22:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/meet-the-infrared-telescopes-that-paved-the-way-for-nasas-webb\/"},"modified":"2023-12-22T18:05:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T22:05:06","slug":"meet-the-infrared-telescopes-that-paved-the-way-for-nasas-webb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/meet-the-infrared-telescopes-that-paved-the-way-for-nasas-webb\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Infrared Telescopes That Paved the Way for NASA\u2019s Webb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet the Infrared Telescopes That Paved the Way for NASA\u2019s Webb<\/h2>\n

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\"Scientists<\/figure>
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Scientists have been studying the universe with infrared space telescopes for 40 years, including these NASA missions, from left: the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), launched in 1983; the Spitzer Space Telescope, launched in 2003; and the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021.<\/div>\n
NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Webb telescope has opened a new window onto the universe, but it builds on missions going back 40 years, including Spitzer and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite.<\/em><\/p>\n

On Dec. 25, NASA will celebrate the two-year launch anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope<\/a> \u2013 the largest and most powerful space observatory in history. The clarity of its images has inspired the world, and scientists are just beginning to explore the scientific bounty it is returning.<\/p>\n

Webb\u2019s success builds on four decades of space telescopes that also detect infrared light (which is invisible to the naked eye) \u2013 in particular the work of two retired NASA telescopes with big anniversaries this past year: January marked the 40th year since the launch of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), while August marked the 20th launch anniversary of the Spitzer Space Telescope.<\/p>\n

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NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope builds on four decades of work by space telescopes that also detect infrared light, in particular two other retired NASA telescopes: the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Spitzer Space Telescope. Credit: NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This heritage shines through in NASA\u2019s images of Rho Ophiuchi, one of the closest star-forming regions to Earth. IRAS was the first infrared telescope ever launched<\/a> into Earth orbit, above the atmosphere that blocks most infrared wavelengths. Rho Ophiuchi\u2019s thick clouds of gas and dust block visible light, but IRAS\u2019 infrared vision made it the first observatory to be able to pierce those layers to reveal newborn stars nestled deep inside.<\/p>\n

Twenty years later, Spitzer\u2019s multiple infrared detectors helped astronomers assign more specific ages to many of the stars in the region, providing insights about how young stars<\/a> throughout the universe evolve. Webb\u2019s even more detailed infrared view<\/a> shows jets bursting from young stars, as well as disks of material around them \u2013 the makings of future planetary systems.<\/p>\n

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Clouds of gas and dust in space \u2013 like Rho Ophiuchi, shown here \u2013 mostly radiate infrared light, which human eyes can\u2019t detect. IRAS, the first infrared telescope in Earth orbit, imaged the region in 1983 and revealed previously hidden features, including newly forming stars nestled deep inside the dust.<\/div>\n
NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
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\"Rho<\/figure>
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Rho Ophiuchi was also imaged by NASA\u2019s Spitzer Space Telescope. Spitzer had a wider field of view and better resolution than its predecessors, providing this more detailed image of the region as well as more information about star formation.<\/div>\n
NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n
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NASA\u2019s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed Rho Ophiuchi like never before, showing new features of the star-forming region to astronomers in this stunning 2023 image. Webb builds on the legacy of infrared telescopes like IRAS and Spitzer.<\/div>\n
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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