Space Telescopes
Because some wavelengths of light do not penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, observations in these wavelengths must be taken from space. Each different waveband provides different information about the object being observed, so it is useful to do as many different types of observations as possible. Below are links to web pages about the many satellite missions being conducted by NASA, The European Space Agency (ESO), and the Japanese Space Agency (ISAS).
Beyond the Solar System
ASCA - Japan's Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics, an x-ray satellite with NASA p[articipation. Here are ASCA results.
Chandra X-Ray Observatory (formerly known as AXAF) tentatively scheduled for launch in July 1999.
COBE The Cosmic Background Explorer
Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory - NASA gamma ray observatory launched in 1991. UCSD's high energy astrophysicvs group participated in the development and analysis of data from the BATSE instrument.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) The EUVE mission is to do an all-sky survey in the extreme ultraviolet band of 70-760 angstroms.
Ginga Ginga,(Japanese for "galaxy"),was an x-ray telescope launched in 1987 by the Japanese Space Agency (ISAS). It has been used to observe all classes of x-ray emitting sources, including galaxies, pulsars, and black holes.
Infrared Space Observatory (ISO)
Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) IRAS performed an all sky survey at 12,25,60 and 100 micron wavelengths. It was the first satellite to observe the core of the Milky Way. IRAS was a joint project of The US, the United Kingdon and the Netherlands.
The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) IUE covers the wavelength range from 1200 to 3400 angstroms, observing stars,galaxies, and planets.
ROSAT - The Roentgen Satellite, a German, NASA, and UK X-Ray satellite launched in 1990.
RXTE - NASA's Rossi X-RAY Timing Explorer, launched in 1996 as a high time resolution x-ray satellite designed to study the x-ray variability of pulsars, black holes, quasars, and other sites of astronomical activity. UCSD's high energy astronomers, led by Dr. Rick Rothschild constructed the HEXTE experiment. RXTE images and Learning Center.
Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTIF) A NASA mission to study the evolution of planets, the early universe, and active galaxies.
Voyager I & II The two Voyager spacecraft were launched in 1977. Both were designed to complete close fly-bys of the outer planets before leaving the solar system in opposite directions to enter interstellar space.
SOHO The Solar and Heliospheric ObservatorySOHO is a joint project of NASA and the European Sapce Agency(ESA). It carries 12 instruments to study the Sun,the solar wind, and the heliosphere. NASA's Deep Space Network , a collaboration of large radio telescopes around the world, monitor the satellite.
Ulysses Ulysses is another joint mission of NASA and ESA. It was designed to study the polar regions of the Sun. To get into a polar orbit required that the spacecraft fly by Jupiter, whose strong gravity provided a "slingshot"effect.
The Planets:
Cassini - NASA/JPL Mission to Saturn
Galileo - NASA/JPL Mission to Jupiter
Kidsat Kidsat is a program developed by UCSD professor and Space Shuttle astronaut Dr.Sally Ride. It allows students to design and run experiments that are carried aboard the Space Shuttles. The instruments are operated by the Shuttle crew at the direction of the students in Mission Control.If you are interested in participating in Kidsat, you can contact Mrs. T. McEntee at tmcentee@ucsd.edu.
Mars Pathfinder was launched in December 1996, and landed on the Martian Surface on July 4, 1997.
Mars Global Surveyorwas launched in November 1996, and was placed in orbit around Mars in September 1997.
Mars Surveyor 98 The Surveyor program includes a pair of satellites, Mars Climate Orbiter, launched December 11, 1998 and Mars Polar Lander, launched January 3, 1999 to land near the South Polar Cap in December 1999.
Mars Surveyor 2001
Pioneer 10 & 11 the spectacularly successful satellites that were launched in 1972 and 1973 respectively to obtain the first close-up looks at Jupiter and Saturn.
TOMS Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer The TOMS missions monitor the ozone content of the Earth's atmosphere. The ozone layer of the atmosphere protects the Earth's surface from dangerous ultraviolet radiation.It has been damaged by the worldwide use of chloro- and fluorhydrocarbons as propellants in spray products.
The Viking Missions The first of the Mars missions, Viking I and II were launced in 1976 and 1975 respectively. Each consisted of an orbiter and a landing module. They were first pieces of human technology to reach the surface of another planet.
NASA's Planetary Photo Journal
Comets and Asteroids
NEAR - Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous, originally scheduled to begin orbiting and studying the asteroid Eros, flew past the asteroid after an unsuccessful engine firing, but has been recovered and is now scheduled to catch up to Eros in February 2000.
Stardust was launched on February 9, 1999 to rendezvous with Comet Wild 2 in 2004 and return samples of cometary dust to earth.
Giotto The Giotto
spacecraft was launched in 1986 to study comets Halley and Grigg-Skjellerup.
