Infrared Space Observatory

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The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was a space telescope for infrared light designed and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), in cooperation with ISAS (part of JAXA as of 2003) and NASA. The ISO was designed to study the infrared light at wavelengths of 2.5 to 240 micrometres.

Planning started in 1979. It was built by Aerospatiale, in its Cannes Mandelieu Space Center.

It was finally launched into space in November 1995 and operated until it ran out of liquid helium in May 1998; 8 months longer than the original goal.

[edit] Instruments

Infrared Camera (ISOCAM) - High-resolution camera covering 2.5 to 17 micrometre wavelength.

Photo-polarimeter (ISOPHOT) - Detected amount of infrared radiation emitted from an object.

Short Wave Spectrometer (SWS) - Spectrometer covering the 2.4 to 45 micrometre wavelength.

Long Wave Spectrometer (LWS) - Spectrometer covering the 45 to 196.8 micrometre wavelength.

[edit] Bibliography

• (French)(English) Guy Lebègue, (trad. Robert J. Amral), « ISO: Capturing the Unseen », in Revue aerospatiale, n°118, May 1995.

[edit] External links

• ISO at ESA.int
• The ISO Data Centre, with an overview about the project and a gallery of pictures