Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

Despite Magnetic Fields' Best Efforts, Star Formation Continues in 30 Doradus

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Cloud, The Astrophysical Journal, Heart, Magnetic field, Dorado, Large Magellanic Cloud, Field line, Magnetism, Research, Universities Space Research Association, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Tarantula Nebula, SOFIA, Hydrogen, Medical imaging

The researchers determined how star formation can continue in the region despite its strong magnetic fields.

Key Points: 
  • The researchers determined how star formation can continue in the region despite its strong magnetic fields.
  • Most of the energy in 30 Doradus, also called the Tarantula Nebula, comes from the massive star cluster near its center, R136, which is responsible for multiple, giant, expanding shells of matter.
  • Using SOFIA's High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus (HAWC+), astronomers studied the interplay between magnetic fields and gravity in 30 Doradus.
  • Observing the region with other instruments can help astronomers better understand the role of magnetic fields in the evolution of 30 Doradus and other similar nebulae.

SOFIA Helps Reveal a Destroyed Planetary System

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Nuclear fusion, ALMA, Radiation, Gravity, Spitzer, Universities Space Research Association, The Astronomical Journal, Academia Sinica, Herschel Space Observatory, Orbit, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Spitzer Space Telescope, Carbon monoxide, Atacama Large Millimeter Array, Planet, Dust, Observation, Paper, Cosmic dust, Silicon, Herschel, SOFIA, Lithium, Telescope, Coal, Helix Nebula

These observations provide one potential explanation for the fate of these planetary remains.

Key Points: 
  • These observations provide one potential explanation for the fate of these planetary remains.
  • The Helix Nebula is an old planetary nebula – expanding, glowing gas ejected from its host star after its main-sequence life ended.
  • The nebula has a very young white dwarf at its center, but this central white dwarf is peculiar.
  • To answer the question of where this excess emission comes from, the astronomers first determined where it could not have come from.

SOFIA Helps Complete Picture on Molecular Cloud Formation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Uncertainty, Observation, Universities Space Research Association, University, University of Cologne, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Research, Carbon, SOFIA, Dust, Medical imaging, Cygnus, Nature Astronomy

This study provides the first evidence that ionized carbon can unveil interactions between molecular clouds.

Key Points: 
  • This study provides the first evidence that ionized carbon can unveil interactions between molecular clouds.
  • Coupled with these previous findings, this first observation of cloud collision in such a massive region helps complete the picture.
  • Together, the studies indicate a degree of universality: Both smaller and more major cloud collision events that lead to star formation are now known to be quick.
  • This study also provides the first evidence that ionized carbon can unveil the interactions between molecular clouds.

This Week in Transportation News: 12 Stories You Need to See

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 17, 2023
DLR, Database, Hagerty, Student, University, Moon, Related, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, NASA, Water, PR Newswire, News, SOFIA, Subject-matter expert, Geography, Publishing

NEW YORK, March 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the auto and transportation industries stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

Key Points: 
  • A new study using NASA's and DLR's now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has pieced together the first detailed, wide-area map of water distribution on the Moon.
  • In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. and Hagerty .
  • These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about.
  • Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines , for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

SOFIA Reveals Map of Moon's Water Near its South Pole Artemis Landing Sites

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Silicon, Research, University, Snow, Conference, German, Water, Paper, German Aerospace Center, VIPER, NASA, Map, University of Stuttgart Library, Science, Armstrong Flight Research Center, Universities Space Research Association, DLR, Knowledge, Lunar Trailblazer, Goddard Space Flight Center, Sunlight, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, University of Hawaiʻi, Aircraft, Soil, Ames Research Center, Communications satellite, Rare-earth element, Artemis, Moon

With clear, identifiable lunar features marked out by the water data, the study provides hints about how water may be moving across the Moon's surface, particularly near its South Pole — an important area for space exploration.

Key Points: 
  • With clear, identifiable lunar features marked out by the water data, the study provides hints about how water may be moving across the Moon's surface, particularly near its South Pole — an important area for space exploration.
  • The new map covers about one-quarter of the Earth-facing side of the lunar surface, below 60 degrees latitude and extends to the Moon's South Pole.
  • This finding, along with two previous SOFIA results about the amount and distribution of water on the Moon's sunlit surface, tracks a unique light signature of water.
  • And, as NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon under Artemis, the agency has identified 13 candidate landing regions near the lunar South Pole.

SOFIA Makes First Detection of Heavy Oxygen in Earth's Upper Atmosphere

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Respiration, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Max Planck Society, Oxygen, Physical Review, Uncertainty, Altitude, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Astronomy, Neutron, Atmosphere, Biology, Climate change, SOFIA, GREAT, Photosynthesis, Research, Moon, Lithium, Coal, Aquaculture

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) made the first-ever measurement of heavy atomic oxygen in Earth's upper atmosphere.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) made the first-ever measurement of heavy atomic oxygen in Earth's upper atmosphere.
  • Heavy oxygen is so called because it has 10 neutrons, rather than the normal eight of "main" oxygen, the form we breathe.
  • Both forms are byproducts of photosynthesis, but main oxygen is consumed by the respiration of living things more than its heavy counterpart, leaving a larger concentration of heavy oxygen behind.
  • With its high spectral resolution, SOFIA's GREAT instrument measured the ratio of main to heavy oxygen in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, making the first spectroscopic detection of heavy oxygen outside a laboratory.

SOFIA Helps Reveal Why Cosmic Bubbles Are Leaking Out Into Space

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Washington State Convention Center, Trapezium, Kavak, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Research, SOFIA, Veil, Radiation, European Astronomical Society, Dust, Trapezium Cluster, Carbon, American Astronomical Society, Telescope, Glassblowing

Cosmic bubbles are blowing up earlier than expected, and research from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) can help explain why.

Key Points: 
  • Cosmic bubbles are blowing up earlier than expected, and research from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) can help explain why.
  • These protostellar outflows are also interacting with the bubble's shell, allowing the researchers to study the process in more depth.
  • This process is important for astronomers to study because of the role it plays in the dynamics of bubbles like Orion's Veil.
  • SOFIA was therefore unique in its ability to reveal this interaction, thanks to its spectral resolution and its ability to resolve the ionized carbon around protostars.

NASA's Retired SOFIA Aircraft Finds New Home at Arizona Museum

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 12, 2022
Guppy, Universities Space Research Association, Unitary state, Aircraft, National academy, University, Stafford Air & Space Museum, Armstrong Flight Research Center, Pima Air & Space Museum, German Aerospace Center, Pima, DLR, NASA Headquarters, German, Artifact, Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Science, Atmosphere of Earth, USRA, Research, Saturn, Planet, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Government, Science Mission Directorate, Aero Spacelines Super Guppy, NASA, Boeing, Reduced-gravity aircraft, Engineering, 747SP, Silicon, University of Stuttgart, Exhibition, Apollo, Ames Research Center, Communications satellite, Moon

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft will find a permanent home in the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft will find a permanent home in the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
  • It will land in Tucson at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base before ultimately arriving at the Air & Space Museum.
  • "We are excited SOFIA will continue to engage a diverse new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers."
  • The SOFIA aircraft is a Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a reflecting telescope.

No Phosphine on Venus-According to SOFIA Observations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Science, Goddard Space Flight Center, Moon, National academy, Unitary state, PH3, Engineering, Silicon, Universities Space Research Association, Telescope, University, Aircraft, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, University of Stuttgart, USRA, Life, German, Government, Spectra, Ames Research Center, Phosphine, Sailor, Lightning, German Aerospace Center, DLR, Armstrong Flight Research Center, Research, SOFIA, Phosphorus, Biology, Sunlight, NASA, Light

Its observations did not find phosphine in Venus's atmosphere which is a potential biomarker and could be an indicator of organic matter, or life.

Key Points: 
  • Its observations did not find phosphine in Venus's atmosphere which is a potential biomarker and could be an indicator of organic matter, or life.
  • Venus is considered Earth's twin in many ways, but, thanks to SOFIA, the one difference now seems clearer: Unlike Earth, Venus does not have any obvious phosphine.
  • Phosphine is a gas found in Earth's atmosphere, but the announcement of phosphine discovered above Venus's clouds made headlines in 2020.
  • Despite the fact the group did not find phosphine after the stressful observations, the study was a success.

Magnetic Fields Help Black Holes Reach Deeper Into Galaxies

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 10, 2022
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Black holes potentially have an even larger influence on the galaxies around them than we thought.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Black holes potentially have an even larger influence on the galaxies around them than we thought.
  • They found that with the help of magnetic fields, black holes can work through larger distances and have a larger influence on their galaxy than previously thought.
  • While astronomers typically consider gravity as the only force influencing supermassive black holes, this work shows that magnetic fields can aid in bridging the interface between black holes and matter in their host galaxy.
  • With the help of these magnetic fields, black holes can impact not only the matter immediately around them, but can also work at even larger distances within the galaxy.