SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
Eric Becklin (UCLA)
The SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared telescope in
a Boeing 747-SP is in the final stages of development. First science
flights will begin in 2009, with the observatory designed to operate for
over 20 years. Status of the development and technical issues will be
discussed along with the expected sensitivity, and first light science
instruments. Also discussed will be examples of the science to be carried
out and opportunities for the science community to use SOFIA. On the
science side, I will also discuss our recent high angular resolution
results on the Galactic Center with Keck laser adaptive optics.
