The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO)

Details The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO) The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO)

Jul 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010spie.7733e..20w&link_type=abstract

Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes III. Edited by Stepp, Larry M.; Gilmozzi, Roberto; Hall, Helen J. Proceedings of the SPIE,

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Scientific paper

The Stratospheric TeraHertz Observatory (STO) is a NASA funded, Long Duration Balloon (LDB) experiment designed to address a key problem in modern astrophysics: understanding the Life Cycle of the Interstellar Medium (ISM). STO will survey a section of the Galactic plane in the dominant interstellar cooling line [C II] (1.9 THz) and the important star formation tracer [N II] (1.46 THz) at ~1 arc minute angular resolution, sufficient to spatially resolve atomic, ionic and molecular clouds at 10 kpc. STO itself has three main components; 1) an 80 cm optical telescope, 2) a THz instrument package, and 3) a gondola [1]. Both the telescope and gondola have flown on previous experiments [2,3]. They have been reoptimized for the current mission. The science flight receiver package will contain four [CII] and four [NII] HEB mixers, coupled to a digital spectrometer. The first engineering test flight of STO was from Ft. Sumner, NM on October 15, 2009. The ~30 day science flight is scheduled for December 2011.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Stratospheric THz Observatory (STO) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1375881