Space Life Magazine

NASA’s WISE Infared Telescope

NASA has released its plans to launch a WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) on December 9, 2009 weather permitting. The lauch will occur from Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is located in California. The Spacecraft will offer the opportunity to view galaxies and stars of the solar system that are invisible to the naked eye. The WISE will also offer many education opportunities to classrooms and teachers around the world by offering the chance to get involved with the mission.

The WISE is comprised of a telescope that will view outer space using infrared technology. Heat is given off by virtually all-functional mass. Infrared sensors detect heat and its intensity. There will be millions of objects detected that were not formerly known to scientists. How will the telescope do this? The WISE is set up to detect heat from objects, which will include colder stars, dark asteroids and distant galaxies. The whole sky will be mapped using infrared wavelengths. Infrared wavelengths are longer than most of the spectrum and only detected by the lack of heat. This information will allow future missions to be planned using this mapped data.

Humans cannot see infrared light. So, there are many objects that are not visible without using infrared technology. There are many asteroids that pass fairly close to Earth and now they will be cataloged for study. The closest known star to us is the Proxima Centauri and it is about four light-years away. NASA’s telescope may detect one or more stars that are closer to Earth than that. In order to detect what NASA wants to find the detectors used in the telescope have to be froze. By froze, I mean negative 445 degrees Fahrenheit. The spacecraft cannot give off any heat and must remain at this temperature.

NASA has many objectives that go beyond just finding new planets and asteroids. The Explorer program has created this opportunity for everyone to share in. They want to include the public, student and their teachers in the study. They will use websites, lesson plans and interactive programs to allow a “hands on” approach to learning. NASA plans to use the WISE to educate elementary, middle and high school age groups on the study of space. From studying the WISE students will become more involved in science, mathematics and technology. These students are the future and if they are introduced to this information at a young age, then chances are they will become more involved as they enter the college years.

The Wide-field Infrared Telescope has two Hydrogen filled tanks that will keep it froze. The telescope will orbit around the poles of the Earth recording information, which will be relayed back to NASA to use. NASA’s Spitzer and Hubble Telescopes will study the universe further upon the WISE’s observations. The WISE processes technology that is thousands of times more advanced than some predecessors.

NASA has taken an approach that will entice students and teachers to get involved with their study. This will benefit both NASA and the education system. The WISE is comprised of new technology and will allow many future missions to be conducted that expand on the information it gathers.

NASA has a vast amount of information about the WISE Infrared Telescope on their website. There are links to additional data there as well. Also, the site explains how you or your child can get involved in the study. The WISE telescope will promote the desire of everyone to learn about outer space, hidden plannets, asteroids and the deeper regions of space.

Categories: Spacecraft