The Spitzer Space Telescope, also known as the Spitzer, is an astronomical observatory that detects infrared radiation emitted by celestial objects. Launched in 2003, it was the fourth and final observatory to be launched as part of NASA's Great Observatories program. The telescope is named after the astrophysicist Lyman Spitzer Jr., who played a significant role in advocating for the development of space telescopes.
The Spitzer Space Telescope was specifically designed to study the universe in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. It uses a 0.85-meter (33-inch) diameter telescope and three highly sensitive instruments, including an infrared camera, infrared spectrograph, and multiband imaging photometer. With its exceptional sensitivity to long-wavelength infrared light, Spitzer has unraveled many mysteries of the cosmos and made groundbreaking discoveries.
Its primary mission was to study the formation and evolution of stars, planets, galaxies, and other astronomical objects. It has observed a wide range of targets, from distant galaxies at the edges of the visible universe to icy bodies within our own solar system, including planets in other star systems. Some of its notable achievements include detecting and characterizing exoplanets, discovering new galaxies, providing insights into star formation regions, and helping to determine the age of the universe.
The Spitzer Space Telescope had a highly successful mission life of over 16 years, far exceeding its initial planned lifetime. It played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the universe and paved the way for future space telescopes dedicated to infrared astronomy.
