Infrared Space Observatory (ISO)
A European Space Agency orbiting infrared
observatory, launched in 1995, that carried a cryogenically-cooled 60-cm
telescope, a deep-infrared camera, two spectrometers,
and photopolarimeter. ISO, which
observed at wavelengths between 2.5 and 240 microns, not only covered a
much wider wavelength range than its predecessor, the Infrared
Astronomy Satellite, but was also thousands of times more sensitive
and viewed infrared sources with much greater resolution.
It operated from November 1996 to April 1998 – three times longer
than IRAS – at which point the liquid-helium coolant was exhausted.
Among of its most important discoveries is that a large fraction of young
stars are surrounded by disks of gas and dust out of which planetary systems
might form.
| launch date |
Nov. 17, 1995 |
| launch vehicle |
Ariane 44P |
| orbit |
1,110 × 70,054 km × 5° |
| size |
5.3 × 3.6 × 2.8 m |
| mass at launch |
2,400 kg |
Related entries
• infrared astronomy
• infrared
astronomy satellites
Related category
• SATELLITES
AND SPACE PROBES
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