Science@ESA: Episode 3: Exploring the infrared Universe 24 April 2009 In this third episode of the Science@ESA vodcast series Rebecca Barnes investigates the infrared Universe, explores discoveries made by ground-breaking infrared space telescopes, and takes a look at Herschel - ESA's pioneering infrared space telescope. Read more
ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is an astronomical satellite that was operational between November 1995 and May 1998. It operated at wavelengths from 2.5 to 240 microns, in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because the atmosphere acts as an 'umbrella' for most infrared wavelengths -preventing them from reaching the ground- a space telescope is needed to detect this kind of radiation invisible to the human eye and to optical telescopes.
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