SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPEBy: Daryien Golden

Emily Linden

THE SPITZER• Named in honor of Lyman Spitzer

• Infrared telescope

• It studies infrared light

• It is a basic reflecting telescope

• Used to get a clearer view of the wavelengths of infrared light that can be studied from earth

• Last of four telescopes in NASA’s Great Observatories Program

PARTS OF THE SPITZER

PARTS OF THE SPITZER

SPITZER’S INSTRUMENTS1. Infrared Array Camera (IRAC): A

camera that records infrared radiation

2. Infrared Spectrograph (IRS): A spectrograph that studies the make up of cosmic objects

3. Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS): The last instrument gathers pictures and information suitable for studying the distribution of dust.

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• Helix Nebula:

A so-called planetary nebula -- located around 700 light-years from Earth. A planetary nebula is the remnants of the death of a red giant star -- all that remains is a white dwarf star in the core, clouded dust.

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• Messier 78

Staring deep into the Messier 78 star-forming nebula, Spitzer sees the infrared glow of baby stars blasting cavities into the cool nebulous gas and dust.

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• RCW 120

The green-glowing infrared ring is caused by tiny dust grains called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- the bubble is being shaped by the powerful stellar winds emanating from the central massive O-type star.

(Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons-are composed of more than one aromatic ring made of pentalene)

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• Tycho Supernova

This supernova is imaged by Spitzer (in infrared wavelengths) and Chandra (X-rays). The supernova's powerful shockwave is visible as the outer blue shell, emitting X-rays

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• RCW 49

Over 2,200 baby stars can be seen inside the bustling star-forming region RCW 49.

SPITZER DISCOVERIES• Zeta Ophiuchi

The giant star Zeta Ophiuchi is blasting powerful stellar winds into space, creating an impressive shock wave in the middle

WORKS CITED• "Spitzer Space Telescope." Telescope:. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.

•  "Spitzer Space Telescope." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 July 2013. Web. 12 Sept. 2013.