The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) And Its Instruments

M. F. Kessler

doi:10.1117/12.961523

26 September 1989 The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) And Its Instruments

M. F. Kessler

Proceedings Volume 1130, New Technologies for Astronomy; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961523
Event: 1989 International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1989, Paris, France

Abstract

The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), a fully approved and funded project of the European Space Agency (ESA), is an astronomical satellite, which will operate at wavelengths from 3-200μm. ISO will provide astronomers with a unique facility of unprecedented sensitivity for a detailed exploration of the universe ranging from objects in the solar system right out to the most distant extragalactic sources. The satellite essentially consists of a large cryostat containing superfluid helium to maintain the telescope and its scientific instruments at temperatures around 2-3K. The telescope has a 60-cm diameter primary mirror and is diffraction-limited at a wavelength of 5μm. A pointing accuracy of a few arc seconds is provided by a three-axis stabilisation. system. ISO carries four instruments, namely: an imaging photo-polarimeter (3-200μm)., a camera (.3-17μm), a short wavelength spectrometer (3-45μm) and a long wavelength spectrometer (45-180μm). ISO will be launched in early 1993 by an Ariane 4 rocket into an elliptical orbit (apogee 70000 km and perigee 1000 km) and will be operational for at least 18 months. In keeping with ISO's role as an observatory, two-thirds of its observing time will be made available to the general astronomical community.

Citation Download Citation

M. F. Kessler "The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) And Its Instruments", Proc. SPIE 1130, New Technologies for Astronomy, (26 September 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961523

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