SOFIA IR Observatory in the Southern Sky

[Baluncore]

NASA747 has been flying out of Christchurch, New Zealand since 5th of June 2018. Another 20 flights are planned in this block.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/sofia-to-study-southern-skies-in-new-zealand

The “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy”, SOFIA, flies an interesting tracking course. You can follow present and review past flight paths here.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA747/history/20180613/0758Z/NZCH/NZCH

 

[davenn]

NASA747 has been flying out of Christchurch, New Zealand since 5th of June 2018. Another 20 flights are planned in this block.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/sofia-to-study-southern-skies-in-new-zealand

The “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy”, SOFIA, flies an interesting tracking course. You can follow present and review past flight paths here.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA747/history/20180613/0758Z/NZCH/NZCH

yeah, tis pretty cool. they do annual observing sessions out of Christchurch.
I photo'ed SOFIA in Christchurch some years ago when I was visiting my kids over there. ( pretty sure I posted a pic on here back them)
Prior to SOFIA, NASA used to fly they Kuiper Boeing 747 out of CHCH on regular missions during the winter months.
Several of my fellow NZ astronomers were able to hitch a ride on various flights ... I am very jealous haha

Dave

 

[davenn]

ahhhh found it

gosh, 2013, how time flies

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/meet-nasa-sofia-aircraft.702221/

 

[davenn]

Man ! ... now I'm even more green with envy ... from my FB page
one of my astro mates has scored a flight on SOFIA as well !

 

[davenn]

Ian Griffin
19 hrs ·
That moment you are sitting in a pre flight briefing for SOFIA and the flight is scrubbed due to clouds tomorrow in Auckland and fog in Christchurch.
Never mind! Trying again tomorrow

 

[Baluncore]

The SOFIA IR observatory is on route to Christchurch, New Zealand for this southern winter season.

 

[Baluncore]

This week SOFIA will be on display in Stuttgart where around 400 researchers from all over the world come together for a major conference of the Astronomical Society at Stuttgart University, celebrating the centenary of the International Astronomical Union.
The first observation mission over Europe is planned during the week.

 

[Oldman too]

While SOFIA will be retiring this year https://www.thedrive.com/news/nasas-boeing-747-based-flying-telescope-sofia-is-being-retired
this should be something to look forward to, the IR example image is pretty cool also.
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/asthros

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25170-a-crisp-infrared-image-on-an-asthros-mirror-panel

 

[Baluncore]

SOFIA migrated via Hawaii to the southern winter in Christchurch, NZ. Since 21 June 2022, it has been flying at night from Christchurch.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA747