Infrared telescope

Japanese: 赤外線望遠鏡 - せきがいせんぼうえんきょう（英語表記）infrared telescope

A telescope that observes infrared rays from celestial bodies. On Earth, infrared observations are also carried out with ordinary telescopes that observe visible light. However, for infrared rays with wavelengths over 2.5 μm (micrometers), the thermal noise (heat radiation) of the telescope itself and its peripheral devices has a large effect, so measures to reduce the noise are necessary. Astronomical satellites are needed to observe mid-infrared and far-infrared rays with wavelengths between 5 and 100 μm. Representative infrared astronomical satellites include IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite), jointly launched by the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, and ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) by the European Space Agency (ESA) (both no longer in operation). Others currently in operation include NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and JAXA's Akari.

(Yoshiaki Taniguchi, Director of the Center for Cosmic Evolution Research, Ehime University / 2007)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

天体から来る赤外線を観測する望遠鏡。地上では、可視光を観測する普通の望遠鏡で赤外線の観測も行う。しかし、波長2.5μm(マイクロメートル)を超える赤外線では、望遠鏡本体や周辺装置の熱雑音(熱放射)の影響が大きいため、雑音を軽減する工夫が必要となる。波長5〜100μmの中間赤外線や遠赤外線の観測には天文衛星が必要。オランダ、英国、米国が共同で打ち上げたIRAS(Infrared Astronomical Satellite)、欧州宇宙機関(ESA)のISO(Infrared Space Observatory)など(共に運用終了)が代表的な赤外線天文衛星。現在運用中のものに、NASAのスピッツァ宇宙望遠鏡、JAXAのあかりがある。

(谷口義明愛媛大学宇宙進化研究センターセンター長／ 2007年)

出典　(株)朝日新聞出版発行「知恵蔵」知恵蔵について　情報

<<: Shi Ke - Sekikaku

>>: Infrared Weapons - Infrared Weapons