Moffett Field, CA - infoZine - Each will be paired with a professional astronomer to observe first-hand how airborne infrared astronomy is conducted. After their flight opportunities, Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors will take what they learn back to their classrooms and into their communities to promote science literacy.

SOFIA is a highly modified Boeing 747SP jetliner fitted with a 100-inch (2.5-meter) effective diameter telescope. The aircraft flies at altitudes between 39,000 and 45,000 feet (12-14 kilometers), above the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere, and collects data in the infrared spectrum.

SOFIA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors for 2014:

SOFIA is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The aircraft is based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, CA NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA manages the program. Ames manages the SOFIA science and mission operations in cooperation with the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in Columbia, MD and the German SOFIA Institute (DSI) at the University of Stuttgart.

Related SOFIA Link X-Press Stellar SOFIA http://www.nasa.gov/sofia

Read more:

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy Selects Educator Teams