The Spitzer Space Telescope

Chelsea BraunImage: (NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt, R, 2003)

OverviewThe MissionThe LaunchTelescopeInstrumentsProjects and ResearchInteresting ImagesInteresting Facts

Image: (NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt, R, 2003)

The MissionIt is the fourth and final telescope of NASA’s

Great Observatories programThe Hubble Telescope (HST)The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

(CGRO)Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO)Spitzer Space Telescope

a family of four space-based observatories, each observing the Universe in a different kind of light

(Mission Overview, 2003)

The Spectrum

Primarily gamma rays extended to hard x-rays

Soft x-rays

Visible light and near-ultraviolet

Infrared

Image: (Great Observatories, 2003)

Launch

Launch Date 25 Aug, 2003

Launch Vehicle Delta 7920H ELV

Launch Site Cape Canaveral, Florida

Mission Length 2.5 yrs – 5+ yrs

Launch mass 950 kg

Orbit Heliocentric, earth-trailing

(Fast Facts, 2012) image: (Launch, 2003)

Why in Space?Outside the Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmosphere is opaque at infrared wavelengths => long exposure time => greatly reduces ability to detect faint objects

Earth trailing, heliocentric orbitsKeeps the observatory far away from the Earth’s heatLets nature cool the observatory, saving liquid heliumWider view of the sky

View is only limited by the Sun, instead of the Sun and EarthCan observe in the “day” :D

(Spitzer Science Center, 2012)

TelescopeRitchey-Chrétien designWeighs less than 50kgMade almost purely out of

beryllium (except for the mirror)Low heat capacity at low

temperatureTelescope is attached to the

cryostat to keep it very cold

(Spitzer Space Center, 2012) Image: (Telescope, 2012; Cryostat, 2012; MIP, 2012)

Telescope SpecsTelescope style Ritchey-Chretien

Mirror diameter/ Aperture 85 cm

Wavelength 3-180 micrometers (Infrared)

Focal Length 10.2 m

Focal Ratio f/12

Instruments Infrared Array Camera (IRAC)

Infrared Spectrograph (IRS)

Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS)

(Spitzer Space Center, 2012) Image: (Spitzer, 2003)

Instruments

Image: (Instruments, 2012)

Infrared Array Camera (IRAC)Imaging camera designed to detect light at near- & mid-infrared

wavelengths4 channel camera -> it has 4 detectors, each measuring light

simultaneously at the wavelengths 3.6 microns 4.5 microns 5.8 microns 8.0 microns

FOV : 5.2’x5.2’Angular resolution : ~ 2’’

(IRAC Instruments and Instrument Support team, 2012)

ESO’s VISTA camera in the infrared (Chile)

(ESO, VISTA, Emerson, J. 2012)

ESO’s WFI 2.2m telescope in visible light (Chile)

DSS coloured image (32.1’x30.36’)

(ESO, 2009) (Digital Sky Survey)

Infrared Spectrograph (IRS)Provides both high and low spectroscopy at mid-infrared range

4-40 micronsThe spectrograph picks up light from distant objects and breaks it up

into a spectrum Useful for determining the elements and molecules that make up an object

Has four different modules Long-wavelength, high-resolution (18.7-37.2 microns)

FOV: 11.1”x22.3” Resolution: ~ 600

Short-wavelength, low-resolution (5.12-14.29 microns) FOV: 3.6”-3.7”x57” Resolution: 60-127

Long-wavelength, low-resolution (13.90-39.90 microns) FOV: 13.9”x39.90” Resolution: 57-126

Short-wavelength, high-resolution (9.89-19.51microns) FOV: 4.7”x11.3” Resolution: ~600 (IRS Instrument Handbook, 2012)

Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS)Imaging Camera in the far infrared wavelengthsCapable of simple low resolution spectroscopy

55-95 microns

Broad Spectral Bands

FOV Resolution

24 microns 5’x5’ 6”

70 microns 2.5’x5’ 18”

160 microns 0.5’x5’ 40”

(MIPS Instruments and MIPS Instrument Support Team, 2011)(Rieke G H, Young E T, Engelbracht C W, et al., 2004)

(CDS, Coloured Digital Sky Survey)

Project ProposalIn order to apply for Spitzer time, proposers are required to

submit three items in their proposal BEFORE THE DEADLINE:Cover sheet informationScientific and technical justification (template provided)Astronomical Observation Requests (AORs template)

How a proposal gets chosen:Peer reviewed by topical science panels and a Time Allocation

Committee (TAC) that uses a set evaluation criteria (Rated and Ranked)

The Spitzer Space Center director makes the final decision

(IPAC, Caltech, 2000)

Spitzer’s SpecialtiesIts unprecedented infrared sensitivity allowed astronomers to

capture the “old, cold, and dirty”The oldest, coldest, and most dust obscure objects and processes

in the universeLow-temperature objects

Aids in the search for planetary systems in the makingCornerstone of NASA’s Origins Program

(Spitzer Space Center, 2012)

SurveyGLIMPSE (the Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey

Extraordinaire)Survey spanning 300° of the inner Milky Way galaxy444000 images at 4 separate wavelengths using the IRAC

MIPSGAL (Micron Survey of the Intergalactic Disk with MIPS)Similar survey covering 278° of the galactic disk at longer

wavelengths

(NASA, IRAC, SSC. 2010)

(Bressert, E, IPAC, SSC, 2004)

Spitzer HighlightsExoplanet detection, the Hot Jupiters

2007, the SST captured the 1st light from exoplanets Even enough light to identify the molecules in their atmosphere

Discovered the “missing universe”The missing population of hungry black holes known as quasars

Largest Milky Way image (GLIMPSE and MIPSGAL)Stitched together with 800,000 images in Infrared

(Spitzer Space Center, 2012)

Interesting Images

(NASA, JPL-Caltech, 2011)

Fun FactsThe Spitzer ran out of liquid helium on May 15,

2009 Only IRAC instrument is functionalSpitzer Warm Mission

The only one of the Great Observatories not launched by the Space Shuttle

The naming of the telescope was done by a contest given out to the general publicNamed after Lyman Spitzer, theoretical physicist

and astronomerDeveloped the idea of telescopes in spaaaaace

(Spitzer Space Center, 2012)

ResourcesThe CDS portal. 2012. http://cdsportal.u-strasbg.fr/ IRS instrument handbook. 2012. http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/data/SPITZER/docs/irs/ Bressert, E, IPAC, SSC. MIPSGAL. http://mipsgal.ipac.caltech.edu/ ESO, VISTA, Emerson, J. 2012. VISTA`s look at the helix nebula. http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1205a/ IPAC C. 2000. Calls for proposals. http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/data/SPITZER/docs/spitzermission/observingprograms/proposalcycles/ IRAC Instrument and Instrument Support Teams. 2011. IRAC instrument handbook. http://ssc.spitzer.caltech.edu/ Marengo M. 2008. The spitzer space telescope and IRAC. https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~mmarengo/me/irac.html Marengo M. 2008. The spitzer space telescope and IRAC. https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~mmarengo/me/irac.html MIPS Instrument and MIPS Instrument Support Teams. 2011. MIPS instrument handbook. http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/data/SPITZER/docs/mips/mipsinstrumenthandbook/ NASA, ESA, CXC, JPL, Caltech and STScI. 2009. Spiral galaxy M101. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1984-ssc2009-03a-NASA-s-Great-Observatories-Celebrate-the-International-Year-of-Astronomy

NASA I, SSC. 2003. GLIMPSE. http://www.astro.wisc.edu/sirtf/ NASA J. 2011. Stars gather in downtown milky-way. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3560-sig11-003-Stars-Gather-in-

Downtown-Milky-Way NASA J, Harvard-Smithsonian CFA. 2012. Goings on around star forming town. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/4879-

ssc2012-02b-Goings-On-Around-Star-forming-Towns NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hora, J (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA). 2006. The infrared helix. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1531-

ssc2006-01a-The-Infrared-Helix NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt R (SSC). 2003. Dust cover. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3063-dust_cover-Artist-s-Conception-

of-Spitzer-Ejecting-its-Dust-Cover NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt R (SSC). 2003. SIRTF departure. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3078-SIRTF_departure-Spitzer-

Departing-the-Earth-Soon-After-Launch NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt, R (SSC). 2003. Spitzer space telescope and earth. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3063-

dust_cover-Artist-s-Conception-of-Spitzer-Ejecting-its-Dust-Cover NASA, JPL-Caltech, Hurt, R (SSC). 2003. Spitzer space telescope and earth. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3078-

SIRTF_departure-Spitzer-Departing-the-Earth-Soon-After-Launch NASA, JPL-Caltech, Teixeira, P S. 2005. NGC2264. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/2412-sig05-028-Stellar-Snowflake-

Cluster NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Gordon (University of Arizona) & S. Willner (CfA), N.A. Sharp (NOAO/AURA/NSF). 2009. Spiral galaxy M81.

http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/image_archive/2005/40/lores.jpg Rieke G H, Young E T, Engelbracht C W, et al. 2004. THE MULTIBAND IMAGING PHOTOMETER FOR SPITZER (MIPS). ASTRON

ASTROPHYS SUP. 154 : 25-9 Rieke G H, Young E T, Engelbracht C W, et al. 2004. The multiband imaging photometer for spitzer (MIPS). ASTRON ASTROPHYS

SUP. 154 : 24-9 Ryba J. 2008. NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/information/science_faq.html Spitzer Science Center. 2012. Mission overview. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/mission/32-Mission-Overview Spitzer Science Center. 2012. Spitzer space telescope. http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/ X-ray: NASA/UMass/Q.D.Wang et al., Optical: NASA/STScI/AURA/Hubble Heritage, Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ.

AZ/R.Kennicutt/SINGS Team. 2009. Sombrero galaxy: A great observatories view. http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/sombrero/