List of largest infrared telescopes

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Atmospheric windows in the infrared: much of this type of light is blocked when viewed from the Earth's surface. Atmospheric Transmission-en.svg
Atmospheric windows in the infrared: much of this type of light is blocked when viewed from the Earth's surface.

The largest infrared telescopes for infrared astronomy are listed in terms of diameter of primary mirror. The infrared spectrum with its longer wavelength than visible light has a number of challenges, especially for ground-based observatories but also in space. Notably infrared radiation is emitted by all physical objects above Absolute Zero temperature so telescopes are subject to local interference.

Contents

Overall

Infrared observations from Earth's surface are possible in a limited way but can be very dependent on location and atmospheric conditions. Water vapour in the Earth's atmosphere blocks much of the infrared band, although some limited observations are possible and there is a number of infrared observatories.

Sometimes other optical telescopes can make infrared observations if they are equipped with the right detectors, even if they are not dedicated infrared observatories. For ground-based observatories, the location can make a big difference in how much observation is possible.

NameImageEffective
aperture
Wavelength
Coverage
SiteYear(s)Refs
TAO telescope 6.5 m (260 in)0.9-38 μm University of Tokyo Atacama Obs., Chile2024 [1]
James Webb Space Telescope JWST spacecraft model 2.png 6.5 m (260 in)0.6-28.5 μm Space, Sun-Earth L2 2022-
VISTA VISTA at Paranal Eso0704b.tif 4.1 m (160 in)0.85 – 2.3 μm Paranal Obs., Chile2008 [2]
Eastern Anatolia Observatory 3.94 m (155 in)0.9 – 2.5 μmErzurum, Turkey 2024 [3] [ better source needed ]
United Kingdom Infrared Telescope UKIRT at sunset.jpg 3.8 m (150 in)0.8 - 20 μm Mauna Kea Obs., Hawaii1978
Herschel Space Observatory Herschel Space Observatory.jpg 3.5 m (140 in)60-672 μmSpace, Sun-Earth L2 2009-2013 [4]
Infrared Telescope Facility Afshin Darian - NASA Infrared Telescope Facility.jpg 3.2 m (130 in)0.8 - 25 μmMauna Kea, Hawaii 1979 [5]
SOFIA SOFIA ED10-0182-01 full.jpg 2.5 m (98 in)0.3 - 655 μm 747SP; Stratosphere2010-2022 [6] [7]
Wyoming Infrared Observatory WyomingInfraRedObservatory.jpg 2.3 m (91 in)0.4 - 0.8 μmJelm mountain, 9656 ft. (2943m)1977 [8]

Space telescopes only

The mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope is coated with gold because of its ability to reflect infrared light. Optical telescopes typically have used aluminum or silver. James Webb Space Telescope Revealed (26832090085).jpg
The mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope is coated with gold because of its ability to reflect infrared light. Optical telescopes typically have used aluminum or silver.
Infrared observations can see objects hidden in visible light, such as HUDF-JD2 shown. HUDF-JD2.jpg
Infrared observations can see objects hidden in visible light, such as HUDF-JD2 shown.
NameEffective
aperture
cm (in)
Wavelength
Coverage
YearRefs
James Webb (JWST) 650 cm0.6-28.5 μm 2021-
Herschel Obs. 350 cm (138 in)60-672 μm2009 - 2013 [4]
Hubble WFC3 240 cm0.2-1.7 μm2009 -
Euclid NISP120 cm0.92-2.02 μm2023 -
Spitzer 85 cm3-180 μm2003 - 2020 [6]
Akari 68.5 cm2-200 μm2006 -2011 [6]
ISO 60 cm2.5-240 μm1995-1998 [6]
IRAS 57 cm5-100 μm1983 [6]
NEO Surveyor 50 cm4–5.2 & 6–10 μm2028 (planned) [9]
WISE/NEOWISE 40 cm3-25 μm2009-2011 & 2013 - [6]
MSX 33 cm4.3-21 μm1996 - 1997
SPHEREx 20 cm0.75 to 5.0 μm2025 -
Spacelab IRT 15.2 cm1.7-118 μm1985 Aug [10]

See also

References

  1. Emerson, J.P., Sutherland, W.J., McPherson, A.M., Craig, S.C., Dalton, G.B., Ward, A.K. (2005). The Visible & Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy. The Messenger
  2. . DOĞU ANADOLU GÖZLEMEVİ İÇİN GERİ SAYIM
  3. 1 2 Amos, Jonathan (14 June 2009). "ESA launches Herschel and Planck space telescopes". BBC. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. IRTF homepage
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 JPL: Herschel Space Observatory: Related Missions
  6. Krabbe, Alfred (March 2007). "SOFIA telescope". Proceedings of SPIE: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation. Munich, Germany: SPIE — The International Society for Optical Engineering. pp. 276–281. arXiv: astro-ph/0004253 . Bibcode:2000SPIE.4014..276K. doi:10.1117/12.389103.
  7. University of Wyoming 2.3-meter Telescope (WIRO)
  8. NASA to Build New Asteroid-Hunting Space Telescope 2019
  9. Kent, et al. – Galactic structure from the Spacelab infrared telescope (1992).