SAFIR (or Single Aperture Far-InfraRed) is a proposed NASA space observatory for far-infrared light.[2] The plan calls for a single large mirror 5–10 meters (16–33 ft) in diameter, cryogenically cooled to 5 kelvins (−268 °C; −451 °F).[2] This would feed detector arrays sensitive from 5 to 1000 μm.[2] The possibility of servicing such a telescope in space has been evaluated.[3]
The design for SAFIR's primary mirror is large for a space-based telescope; for comparison, SAFIR's predecessor, the 2003 Spitzer Space Telescope, has a primary mirror only 0.85 meters (2.8 ft) in diameter. SAFIR is oriented towards longer wavelengths so the mirror does not have to be as accurate compared to visible and near-infrared telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
jplwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "What is SAFIR". NASA / JPL. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ Lester, Dan; Friedman, Ed; Lillie, Charles (August 2005). MacEwen, Howard A (ed.). "Strategies for servicing the Single Aperture Far IR (SAFIR) telescope". Proceedings of the SPIE: UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts II. UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts II. 5899: 184–195. Bibcode:2005SPIE.5899..184L. doi:10.1117/12.624242. S2CID 122186526.