Astronomy · Space Telescopes
Spitzer Space Telescope
NASA's pioneering infrared observatory.
- Type
- Infrared telescope
- Agency
- NASA
- Focus
- Cool, dusty, and distant objects
- Retired
- 2020
NASA · NASA media (public domain)
Gallery
Spitzer Space Telescope View of Galaxy Messier 101
The galaxy Messier 101 is a swirling spiral of stars, gas, and dust.
2009
NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI · NASA media (public domain)
An infrared pioneer
The Spitzer Space Telescope was one of NASA's Great Observatories, specializing in infrared light. Infrared lets astronomers study objects that are cool, dusty, or very distant, which are faint or hidden in visible light.
What it studied
Spitzer peered into dusty star-forming regions, surveyed distant galaxies, and made early measurements of the light from exoplanets, helping to characterize worlds beyond our Solar System.
End of mission
After operating well beyond its planned lifetime, Spitzer was retired in 2020. Its infrared legacy helped pave the way for the James Webb Space Telescope.
Knowledge connections
How this connects across Asteria Star — scientific, cultural, and astrological links are kept separate.
Scientific connections
- Associated withPhase Curves
Observational connections
- StudiesThe Milky WaySpitzer's infrared surveys mapped the plane of the Milky Way.
- ObservesInfrared
Mission connections
- Operated byNASA
- Operated byCaltech/IPAC
Discovery connections
- DiscoveredFU Tau b
- DiscoveredHN Peg b
- DiscoveredLP 791-18 d
- DiscoveredWD 0806-661 b
Related entries
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James Webb Space Telescope
The great infrared observatory of the modern era.
Astronomy
Hubble Space Telescope
The iconic orbiting observatory of optical astronomy.
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Chandra X-ray Observatory
NASA's window onto the high-energy X-ray universe.
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Kepler Space Telescope
The telescope that revealed thousands of exoplanets.
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