| Issue |
EAS Publications Series
Volume 25, 2007
1st ARENA Conference on "Large Astronomical Infrastructures at CONCORDIA, prospects and constraints for Antarctic Optical/IR Astronomy"
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|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 315 - 320 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/eas:2007113 | |
| Published online | 23 May 2007 | |
N. Epchtein and M. Candidi (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 25 (2007) 315-320
SOFIA – A Telescope for Harsh Environments Lessons Learned for Dome C
1
I. Physikalisches Institut,
Universität zu Köln, Zülpicherstr. 77, 50937 Köln, Germany
2
MT-Aerospace, 55130 Mainz, Germany
SOFIA is a stratospheric observatory for far-infrared astronomy. Its 3 m-class telescope has been designed to operate throughout the optical and infrared waveband on board a Boeing 747SP at temperatures as low as –50 degree C and at elevations up to 41 000 feet. It conforms to a level of reliability and safety well above usual observatory standards. The main design characteristics of the telescope will be discussed in the context of the antarctic environment. Important features of the telescope technology are also applicable to remotely operated arctic telescopes.
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2007