SOFIA (stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy) telescope, embedded into the body of a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. This aircraft will be

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SOFIA (stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy) telescope, embedded into the body of a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. This aircraft will be used to fly the German-built telescope to the stratosphere in the Earth's atmosphere, at about 10-50 kilometres above sea level. Elevating the telescope to this height will allow it to detect infrared light that is normally blocked by water vapour that forms at lower altitudes. Photographed at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Centre in California, USA.

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Size: 3343px × 2655px
Photo credit: © NASA/DFRC/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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