Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

Mission Characteristics

Description: SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to accommodate a 2.5 meter reflecting telescope. Its instruments provide researchers with access to a wavelength coverage from the optical to the submillimeter (0.35 - 655 microns).
Wavelength: 0.35 - 655 µm
Area Coverage: Targeted
Instruments: 2.5-m telescope with
Time Coverage: 25 May 2010 - present
Science Products Generated: Observation data and calibration files
Acknowledgement: Information for Authors

IRSA Services

NASA SOFIA Archive (Help) Interface to the NASA SOFIA Archive
FORCAST OC0 Data Cycle 0 data from FORCAST
HIPO Data Occultation data from HIPO
Abstract Search Search abstracts that reference SOFIA products

SOFIA Legacy Programs:

Radiative and Mechanical Feedback in Regions of Massive Star Formation GREAT spectra Data Access
Constraining Recent Star Formation in the Galactic Center FORCAST imaging Data Access
HyGAL: Characterizing the Galactic Interstellar Medium with Hydrides GREAT spectra Data Access
FIELDMAPS: Filaments Extremely Long and Dark: A Magnetic Polarization Survey HAWC+ imaging Data Access
SOFIA Heralds a New Era of Measuring the Magnetic Fields of Galaxies HAWC+ imaging Data Access
SOFIA Joint Legacy Survey of [CII] in the LMC: LMC+ FIFI-LS spectra Data Access
A Two-Color Polarimetric Survey of the Galactic Center HAWC+ imaging Data Access
Study of Interstellar Magnetic Polarization: A Legacy Investigation of Filaments (SIMPLIFI) HAWC+ imaging Data Access
Mapping the 6 Micron Molecular Water Line Across the Lunar Surface FORCAST imaging Data Access

Other Resources:

SOFIA Science Center SOFIA home page
Proposal Information SOFIA proposal information, including the SOFIA Archival Research Program
SOFIA Observing Documentation Observer's Handbooks and other documentation for all instruments
SOFIA Data Processing Documentation Data Handbooks
SOFIA Data Analysis Documentation Cookbooks and analysis tools
Youtube Tutorials Tutorial videos about the SOFIA Archive
Known Data Product Issues List of known issues with SOFIA data products
SOFIA Archive Known Issues List of known issues with the SOFIA Archive