Infrared Telescope in Space
The Infrared Telescope in Space (IRTS) was the first Japanese space telescope for the infrared range.
IRTS was a project of the Japanese space research institute ISAS . The helium-cooled telescope with a diameter of 15 cm was on board the multi-purpose satellite SFU ( Space Flyer Unit ), which was launched on March 18, 1995 with an H-II rocket. During its 28-day mission, IRTS surveyed approximately 7% of the sky with low resolution. Instruments were two spectrometers for the near and middle infrared , a far infrared photometer , and an instrument for sky mapping in the emission lines of [CII] at 157 µm and [OI] at 63 µm. After the end of the mission, the satellite was captured by the Space Shuttle mission STS-72 and brought back to Earth.
IRTS mainly observed the interstellar matter of our Milky Way galaxy .
See also
Web links
- Homepage of IRTS (English)