Spitzer Space Telescope: Discoveries, Cost, Location

The Spitzer Space Telescope was NASA’s infrared observatory launched in 2003. Spitzer operated for 16 years, detecting light from cool objects like distant galaxies and exoplanets. Its 85 cm mirror and cryogenic cooling enabled groundbreaking infrared astronomy discoveries. Spitzer’s mission aimed to explore the cosmos in unprecedented infrared detail.

Spitzer made numerous groundbreaking discoveries during its mission. The telescope discovered seven Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, with three potentially habitable. Spitzer observed some of the most distant galaxies, including GN-z11. The spacecraft detected buckminsterfullerene (C60) in space and observed clouds of solid debris around distant stars. Spitzer discovered thousands of exoplanets and created the first “weather map” of an extrasolar planet.

The construction and launch of Spitzer Space Telescope cost 720 million USD in 2003. Construction costs were 386 million USD, while the Delta II launch vehicle cost 145 million USD. The total mission cost reached $1.36 billion over its lifetime, including development, construction, launch, and operational expenses. NASA’s Astrophysics Division provided 1.1 billion USD in funding for the project.

Spitzer Space Telescope is now retired and orbits the Sun. The spacecraft trails Earth at 1.5 million kilometers (932,057 miles) and is approximately 225 million kilometers from Earth. Spitzer’s orbit has a semi-major axis of 1.02 AU, eccentricity of 0.02, and inclination of 3.1°. NASA decommissioned Spitzer Space Telescope on January 30, 2020, ending its 16-year mission.

What is a Spitzer space telescope?

Spitzer Space Telescope was NASA’s infrared observatory launched in 2003. Spitzer operated for 16 years, detecting light from cool objects like distant galaxies and exoplanets. Spitzer discovered seven Earth-sized planets in TRAPPIST-1 system and observed GN-z11, the most distant known galaxy. Spitzer’s 85 cm mirror and cryogenic cooling enabled groundbreaking infrared astronomy discoveries.

Spitzer’s mission aimed to explore the cosmos in unprecedented infrared detail. The spacecraft featured a 0.85-meter primary mirror and advanced infrared technology. Spitzer’s cryogenic design cooled its instruments to extremely low temperatures, enabling detection of faint infrared signals from distant celestial bodies.

Spitzer made numerous groundbreaking observations in various astronomy fields. The telescope discovered thousands of exoplanets and studied their atmospheres, orbits, and properties. Spitzer observed star formation in our galaxy and beyond, contributing to our understanding of galaxy evolution. The spacecraft captured iconic images like the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula and the nearby Andromeda Galaxy.

NASA launched Spitzer using a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft orbited approximately 1.5 astronomical units from the Sun in an Earth-trailing orbit. Spitzer’s primary mission lasted over 16 years, ending on January 30, 2020. The Spitzer Space Telescope mission cost approximately $800 million and made over 30,000 observations of the universe.

What are the discoveries made by Spitzer telescope?

The discoveries made by Spitzer telescope are listed below.

• Spitzer discovered seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, with three potentially habitable.
• Spitzer observed some of the most distant galaxies in the universe, including GN-z11.
• Spitzer detected the presence of buckminsterfullerene (C60), known as buckyballs, in space.
• Spitzer observed clouds of solid debris around distant stars, remnants of destroyed planetary systems.
• Spitzer discovered thousands of exoplanets, including some of the first transiting exoplanets.
• Spitzer observed a “comet soup” around the star Beta Pictoris, a disk of dust and debris.
• Spitzer discovered a previously unknown ring around Saturn, composed of ice and rock particles.
• Spitzer observed a volcanic exoplanet called LP 791-18 d with extremely high surface temperatures.
• Spitzer observed the formation of new stars and the death throes of old stars.
• Spitzer mapped the Milky Way galaxy in unprecedented detail, revealing new structural insights.
• Spitzer created the first “weather map” of an extrasolar planet, HD 189733b.
• Spitzer observed evidence of asteroid collisions around distant stars.

Spitzer Space Telescope discovered over 5,000 exoplanet candidates, including rocky planets in habitable zones. Spitzer revealed the TRAPPIST-1 system with seven Earth-size planets. Spitzer detected a giant ring around Saturn 20 times larger than known rings. Spitzer observed distant galaxies, star-forming regions, and protoplanetary disks. Spitzer studied galaxy interactions, mergers, and planetary system formation around young stars.

Spitzer detected the presence of buckminsterfullerene (C60), known as buckyballs, in space in 2010. Buckyballs are composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical structure. Spitzer observed clouds of solid debris around distant stars, thought to be the remains of destroyed planetary systems. Spitzer discovered thousands of exoplanets, including some of the first transiting exoplanets that pass in front of their host stars.

Spitzer observed a “comet soup” around the star Beta Pictoris in 2009, a disk of dust and debris thought to be the remains of a planetary system. Spitzer discovered a previously unknown ring around Saturn, composed of ice and rock particles. Spitzer observed a volcanic exoplanet called LP 791-18 d in 2019, with surface temperatures of up to 3,000°F (1,649°C).

Spitzer observed the formation of new stars and the death throes of old stars. Spitzer mapped the Milky Way galaxy in unprecedented detail, revealing new insights into its structure and evolution. Spitzer created the first “weather map” of an extrasolar planet in 2009, showing the temperature and atmospheric conditions on the planet HD 189733b. Spitzer observed evidence of asteroid collisions around distant stars, thought to be a common occurrence in planetary systems.

What is the cost to construct and launch Spitzer telescope into space?

Spitzer Space Telescope’s construction and launch cost totaled 720 million USD in 2003. Construction costs comprised 386 million USD. Delta II launch vehicle cost 145 million USD. Mission operations and management cost 120 million USD. Other expenses like testing and integration cost 125 million USD. NASA’s Astrophysics Division provided 1.1 billion USD in funding.

The total mission cost for the Spitzer Space Telescope reached $1.36 billion over its lifetime. This figure encompasses development, construction, launch, and operational expenses. NASA initially allocated $1 billion for the entire project, covering all aspects from development to operations. The extended mission lifetime of over 16 years, far exceeding the planned 2.5 years, contributed to the increased overall cost.

Where is Spitzer space telescope located today?

Spitzer Space Telescope is retired. Spitzer Space Telescope orbits the Sun. Spitzer Space Telescope trails Earth at 1.5 million kilometers (932,057 miles). Distance from Earth is approximately 225 million kilometers. Spitzer Space Telescope’s orbit has a semi-major axis of 1.02 AU, eccentricity of 0.02, and inclination of 3.1°. NASA decommissioned Spitzer Space Telescope on January 30, 2020.

Spitzer Space Telescope’s last known active location was recorded in 2003. The telescope orbited at a distance of approximately 210 million kilometers (130 million miles) from Earth. Spitzer Space Telescope was positioned 1.5 times the average distance between Earth and the Sun, known as an astronomical unit (AU). NASA designed this Earth-trailing heliocentric orbit to maintain a stable thermal environment for the telescope’s infrared observations.

Who invented Spitzer space telescope?

Lyman Spitzer Jr. conceived the idea of space telescopes in the 1940s. Spitzer’s concept laid groundwork for the Spitzer Space Telescope mission. NASA launched Spitzer Space Telescope on August 25, 2003. Spitzer Space Telescope detected light from an extrasolar planet in 2005, marking first space telescope accomplishment. Spitzer Space Telescope operated for over 16 years.

Lyman Spitzer, Jr. played a crucial role in the telescope’s conceptualization. Spitzer proposed the idea of space-based telescopes in the 1940s, recognizing their potential for unobstructed observations. He advocated specifically for infrared space telescopes, understanding their unique capabilities for studying cosmic phenomena. Spitzer’s visionary work earned him the title of “father of space telescopes” among scientists.

Lyman Spitzer, Jr. was an American astrophysicist and astronomer. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1939 and conducted extensive research in stellar dynamics and plasma physics. Spitzer made significant contributions to the fields of stellar evolution, galaxy formation, and the study of the interstellar medium.

The Spitzer Space Telescope has its roots in Spitzer’s early proposals. NASA launched the telescope on August 25, 2003, aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Spitzer Space Telescope was originally called the Space Infrared Telescope Facility. NASA renamed it in 2003 to honor Lyman Spitzer’s pioneering work in space astronomy.

When was Spitzer telescope launched into space?

Spitzer Space Telescope launched on August 25, 2003, at 01:35:39 UTC. Delta II Heavy rocket carried the telescope from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Launch occurred between Hubble (1990) and Kepler (2009) missions. Spitzer operated for 16+ years, studying the universe in infrared light until January 2020.