The Science Vision for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

2009/05/26 by T. Roellig, Roellig, T. L., Becklin, E. E. +9
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA) #Atmospheric Ozone and Climate #Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO) #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0905.4271

openalex publication_date 2009/05/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

An updated Science Vision for the SOFIA project is presented, including an overview of the characteristics and capabilities of the observatory and first generation instruments. A primary focus is placed on four science themes: 'The Formation of Stars and Planets', 'The Interstellar Medium of the Milky Way', 'Galaxies and the Galactic Center' and 'Planetary Science'.

Related

• SOFIA Astronomy and Technology in the 21st Century
• Early Science Results from SOFIA, the World's Largest Airborne Observatory
• First Light SOFIA Instruments
• Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
• Overview of the SOFIA Data Cycle System: An integrated set of tools and services for the SOFIA General Investigator