SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that allows astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes. SOFIA Telescope Assembly. SOFIA's infrared camera, used in conjunction with a 106-inch diameter telescope, picked up 'the specific wavelength unique to water molecules, at 6.1 microns, and discovered a relatively surprising concentration in sunny Clavius Crater.' How Luna 3 first unveiled the Moon’s farside . Humans have not been to the moon … Astronomers using NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an infrared telescope mounted on a Boeing 747, discovered modern helium hydride in a … The jumbo jet’s official name is the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, but it is better known as SOFIA. “SOFIA offered a new means of looking at the Moon,” says NASA is a statement provided to Simple Flying. This crater is one of the largest craters visible from Earth and is in the Moon's southern hemisphere. Zerodur was selected because it is a unique glass-ceramic material with a zero thermal expansion. Water molecules were spotted by SOFIA's infrared telescope as part of research to be published soon. Data from NASA's flying observatory, nicknamed "SOFIA," was responsible for finding molecular water (H2O) on the moon. This illustration highlights the Moon’s Clavius Crater wi The SOFIA flight, which occurred in August 2018, was actually a test flight to see what kind of information the telescope could gather about the moon. The telescope's primary mirror blank was cut from a blank of Zerodur (TM) developed by Schott Glaswerke in Mainz, Germany (near Frankfurt). On 26th October, NASA announced the discovery of molecular water (H 2 O) on the lunar surface based on a recently published article in Nature Astronomy 1 by first-author C.I. South Korea's population falls for first time in history. This discovery indicates that "water may be distributed across the surface and not limited to cold, shadowed places". SOFIA, which is in fact a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a 2.7-meter (106-inch) reflecting telescope, has detected water molecules in Clavius Crater, one of the largest craters visible from Earth, located in the Moon’s southern hemisphere. This telescope is designed for infrared astronomy observations in the stratosphere at altitudes of about 12 kilometres (41,000 ft). The Moon's ancient magnetic field helped protect the young Earth. 22/10/2020. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places. The new find marks the first time SOFIA — a modified Boeing 747 mounted with a 100-inch reflecting telescope — has looked at the Moon. SOFIA has detected water molecules (H2O) in Clavius Crater, one of the largest … NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. Using data from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Airborne Telescope, researchers used a more precise wavelength than had … SOFIA offered a new means of looking at the Moon. NASA will announce an exciting new discovery about the Moon from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at a media teleconference at 12 … Many notable astronomical discoveries have followed, if none quite so high-profile as the lunar exploration news delivered October 26 that pushed discussion of future visits to the moon and Mars back into the public awareness. Nasa's SOFIA telescope has confirmed the presence of water on the moon's surface. Instead of seeing visible light like humans do, the SOFIA telescope observes the universe in infrared light, meaning it can pick up on things we do not. 26 Oct. NASA’s Flying Observatory SOFIA discovers water on the Moon. Signs of water on the Moon have been found … using SOFIA Telescope, NASA found water on the Moon's sunlit surface for the first time. A faraway star and Saturn's huge moon Titan are about to line up perfectly in space. SOFIA Telescope Mirror. Housed inside the former … Honniball and collaborators.. Flying at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, this modified Boeing 747SP jetliner with a 106-inch diameter telescope reaches above 99% of the water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere to get a clearer view of the infrared universe. NASA will reveal the Lunar Moon findings discovered by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a revamped Boeing 747, at a media briefing on Monday next week. Facility. SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that allows astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes. SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky. SOFIA’s first observation from that telescope was made in May 2010. This discovery indicates that water may be … Advertisement: The plane flies at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet. The ice-rich areas have been found near the moon's north and south poles. Sofia offered a new means of looking at the Moon. Scientists using NASA’s telescope on an airplane, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, discovered water on a sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. SOFIA, operated by NASA and the German Aerospace Center, is a 2.5-meter telescope that rides aboard a jumbo jet to get clear views of the sky (SN: 2/17/16). "Without a thick atmosphere, water on the sunlit lunar surface should just be lost to space," said Honniball, who is now a postdoctoral fellow at … NASA’s flying SOFIA telescope confirms water in the Moon’s soil. Researchers used NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope, called SOFIA, and the agency’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to observe the moon … This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. Scientists using NASAs telescope on an airplane, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, discovered water on a sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. Nasa to announce 'exciting' new discovery about the Moon made by Sofia flying telescope Matt Watts. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and WASHINGTON and COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places. Scientists using NASA’s telescope on an airplane, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, discovered water on a sunlit surface of the Moon for the first time. Flying at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, the modified Boeing 747SP jetliner was able to train its a 106-inch diameter telescope on the Moon. The mirror blank started out measuring over 3 meters in diameter and weighting 3,800 kg. Using its Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST), SOFIA was able to pick up the specific wavelength unique to water molecules, at 6.1 microns, and discovered a relatively surprising concentration in sunny Clavius Crater. 12 kilometres ( 41,000 ft ) may 2010 's ancient magnetic field protect. 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