Another Exciting New Telescope is Operational in Space WISE

In case you missed it, as many have been saying, there is a new, significant telescope now operational in space.  The “first light” photos have been posted at

http://wise.ssl.berkeley.edu/gallery_first_light.html

and one is shown here.

To get some background on the telescope, there was an article in the LA Times earlier in December (that I missed, but Frank Moreno of ORA passed along.  That link is

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-wise10-2009dec10,0,5846611.story

Both sites are worth the 5-minutes. 

ORA’s own Mark Kahan was heavily involved with this program.  One of his recent roles, which is a somewhat obscure, but essential, corner of science is to ensure that all the necessary conditions are met to be sure the protective cover on the telescope actually does come off.  A problem encountered in an earlier test of an important space asset.  I’ll see if I can get him to write something on this, some time soon.  In the interim, enjoy the photos of space.

Comments

[Jerseys]

A problem encountered in an earlier test of an important space asset. I’ll see if I can get him to write something on this, some time soon. In the interim, enjoy the photos of space.