SCI2012_0003: SOFIA mid-infrared image of the planetary nebula Minkowski 2-9 (M2-9), also known as the Butterfly Nebula, compared with a visual-wavelength Hubble Space Telescope image at the same scale and orientation. The nebula is composed of two lobes of gas & dust expelled from a dying star with about the mass of our Sun that is seen at the center of the lobes. The HST image shows mostly ionized gas in the lobes whereas the SOFIA image shows mostly solid grains condensing in the gas. The SOFIA data were obtained during SOFIA's Early Science program in 2011 by a Guest Investigator team led by Michael Werner of Caltech/JPL using the FORCAST camera (P.I.Terry Herter, Cornell University). Credit: SOFIA image, RGB = 37, 24, 20 microns; NASA/DLR/USRA/DSI/FORCAST team/M. Werner et al./A. Helton, J. Rho; HST image: NASA/ESA/NSF/AURA/Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/B. Balick, V. Icke, G. Mellema

SCI2016_0001: SOFIA/GREAT [O I] spectrum at 4.7 THz (63 μm) superimposed on a picture of Mars. Absorption line depth is approximately 10% of the continuum. The abundance of atomic oxygen computed from the data is less than expected from the Forget et al. 1999 global circulation & photochemical model. Credit: SOFIA/GREAT spectrum: NASA/DLR/USRA/DSI/MPIfR/GREAT Consortium/MPIfS/Rezac et al. 2015; Mars image: NASA

SOFIA at nighttime in New Zealand.

SOFIA at nighttime in New Zealand.

SOFIA at nighttime in New Zealand.

In this composite image of the Omega Nebula, SOFIA detected the blue areas (20 microns) near the center, revealing gas as it's heated by massive stars located at the center, near the bend, and the green areas (37 microns) that trace dust as it's warmed both by massive stars and nearby newborn stars. The nine never-before-seen protostars were found primarily in the southern areas. The red areas near the edge represent cold dust that was detected by the Herschel Space Telescope (70 microns), while the white star field was detected by the Spitzer Space Telescope (3.6 microns). The space telescopes could not observe the blue and green regions in such detail because the detectors were saturated. SOFIA's view reveals evidence that parts of the nebula formed separately to create the swan-like shape seen today. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA23409

James De Buizer, Senior Scientist at SOFIA Science Center, conducting observations onboard SOFIA facing the telescope’s Naysmith foci “eyepiece.”

Air to air view of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA aircraft fly-by on a visit to Ames Research Center

Researchers using NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA have captured infrared images of the last exhalations of a dying sun-like star. This image is of the planetary Nebula M2-9.

Astronomers smile while looking at data from SOFIA’s telescope.

SCI2016_0006: Map of Cepheus E emphasizing the jets of material flowing to the upper left and lower right from the protostar. The protostar itself is the central yellow-red 'blob" in the colored background map of hydrogen emission made at a wavelength of 4.5 microns by the Spitzer infrared space telescope. The contour curves show the strength of emission from cool carbon monoxide gas measured by the Plateau de Bure radio telescope located in the French Alps. Lefloch et al. used GREAT on SOFIA to measure the amount and velocity of hot carbon monoxide gas at multiple positions along both "wings" of the outflow jet. Credit: Lefloch et al. 2015 Figure 1

SOFIA's primary mirror is placed in the telescope cavity for reinstallation prior to telescope adjustments preparing SOFIA for first science.

Technicians installing the tertiary mirror onto the SOFIA telescope.

NASA's ER-2 and SOFIA at Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California.

SOFIA’s telescope mirror is seen as it appears during a science mission.

Technicians introduce liquid nitrogen to an instrument linked to SOFIA’s telescope. Detection of infrared wavelengths is greatly enhanced by removing as much heat from the telescope as possible.

Scientists onboard SOFIA watch data come in from Pluto’s atmosphere as SOFIA flies into the shadow the dwarf planet cast on Earth’s surface during an eclipse-like event called an occultation. (Left to right standing): Holger Jakob, Thomas Roellig, (unknown who is hunched over), Jürgen Wolf, Nicholas Veronico (Left to right seated): Enrico Pfüller, Manuel Wiedemann

SOFIA lifts off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., at sunset.

SOFIA Returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 Caption: SOFIA returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center building 703 in Palmdale, California on March 16, 2021 after spending six months in Germany conducting science observations.

SOFIA Returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 Caption: SOFIA returns to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California on March 16, 2021 after spending six months in Germany conducting science observations.

SOFIA Returns to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 Caption: SOFIA pilots are welcomed home to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California on March 16, 2021. From left to right: Tracy Phelps, Jeff Borton and Wayne Ringelberg

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, takes off from its base of operations at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Building 703 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft is on its way to Fa’a’ā, French Polynesia where it will be on a mission from July 19 to Sept. 12 to observe parts of the sky that are not visible from the Northern Hemisphere.

SOFIA visit to Ames: overheads of event

SOFIA visit to Ames: overheads of event

SOFIA visit to Ames: overheads of event

SOFIA visit to Ames: overheads of event

SOFIA visit to Ames: Landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA: 1st shakedown flight out of WACO, TX

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing and roll out

SOFIA: 1st shakedown flight out of WACO, TX

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds

SOFIA: 1st shakedown flight out of WACO, TX

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds

SOFIA visit to Ames: Landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds

German Deligation visits Ames SOFIA Science Office for briefing by Hans Zinnecker, Deputy Director, SOFiA Science Mission Operations

SOFIA visit to Ames: overheads of event of SOFIA (fStratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) on Moffett Federal Airfield tarmac with the KAO (Kaiper Airborne Obervatory) parked behind for comparison during the tour event for Ames & NASA Research Park staff.

SOFIA: 1st shakedown flight out of WACO, TX - Dr Dietmar Lilienyhal

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) with Telescope Configuration Changes Artwork

SOFIA Blind Pointer Experiment: Airborne testbed onboard C-141 KAO

German Deligation visits Ames SOFIA Science Office for briefing and enjoy a Ames tour. Pam Marcum, SOFIA Project scientist gives status.

NASA's Super Guppy Turbine cargo aircraft in the hangar with SOFIA at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center on August 24, 2021. The Super Guppy aircraft, operated by NASA's Johnson Space Center, aids in the transportation of oversized aerospace cargo in a practical and economical way. NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), maintained and operated by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, is the world's largest airborne astronomical observatory, complementing NASA's space telescopes as well as major Earth-based telescopes.

SOFIA lifts off from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., at sunset.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: tail

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

Artwork SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) in flight morning sky with logo in layers photoshop file

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA: 1st shakedown flight out of WACO, TX mission support crew in Waco

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds shown here are Warren Hall, Marty Knutson and Steve Zornetzer

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

Slot Baffle III test (SOFIA) program 14ft w.t. Test-227-2-14 Telescope cover

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astromony) primary mirror coating completed at the Ames Vacuum Chamber in N-211.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA visit to Ames: landing/taxi/ pilots/crowds Eric Becklin being interviewed by Wayne Freeman Channel 7 News

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) primary mirror being coated in the Ames N-211 Vacuum Chamber.

SOFIA (Stratospheric Ovservatory for Infrared Astronomy) visit to Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA: landing and taxi to tower

SCI2017_0003: The column of material at and just below the surface of dwarf planet Ceres (box) – the top layer contains anhydrous (dry) pyroxene dust accumulated from space mixed in with native hydrous (wet) dust, carbonates, and water ice. (Bottom) Cross section of Ceres showing the surface layers that are the subject of this study plus a watery mantle and a rocky-metallic core. Credit: Pierre Vernazza, LAM–CNRS/AMU

SOFIA’s flight crew prepare to takeoff from the U.S. Antarctic Program facility at Christchurch International Airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, to observe the Southern Hemisphere’s skies. Pilot: Manny Antimisiaris, Co-Pilot: Jim Less, Flight Engineer: Marty Trout

The SOFIA airborne observatory's 2.5-meter infrared telescope peers out from its cavity in the SOFIA rear fuselage during nighttime line operations testing.