Atmospheric windows in the infrared: much of this type of light is blocked when viewed from the Earth's surface.

The largest infrared telescopes for infrared astronomy are listed in terms of diameter of primary mirror. The infrared spectrum with its longer wavelength than visible light has a number of challenges, especially for ground-based observatories but also in space. Notably infrared radiation is emitted by all physical objects above Absolute Zero temperature so telescopes are subject to local interference.

Overall

Infrared observations from Earth's surface are possible in a limited way but can be very dependent on location and atmospheric conditions. Water vapour in the Earth's atmosphere blocks much of the infrared band, although some limited observations are possible and there is a number of infrared observatories.

Sometimes other optical telescopes can make infrared observations if they are equipped with the right detectors, even if they are not dedicated infrared observatories. For ground-based observatories, the location can make a big difference in how much observation is possible.

NameImageEffective
aperture
m (in)		Wavelength
Coverage		SiteYear(s)Refs
James Webb Space Telescope6.5 m (256 in)0.6-28.5 µmSpace, Sun-Earth L22022-
VISTA4.1 m (161 in)0.85 – 2.3 μmParanal Obs., Chile2008[1]
United Kingdom Infrared Telescope3.8 m (150 in)0.8 - 20 μmMauna Kea Obs., Hawaii1978
Herschel Space Observatory3.5 m (138 in)60-672 μmSpace, Sun-Earth L22009-2013[2]
Infrared Telescope Facility3 m (118 in)0.8 - 25 μmMauna Kea, Hawaii1979[3]
SOFIA2.5 m (98.4 in)0.3 - 655 μm747SP; Stratosphere2010-2022[4][5][6]
Hubble Space Telescope2.4 m (94.5 in)< 1.7 μmSpace, Earth orbit2009-2013[7]
Wyoming Infrared Observatory2.3 m (90.6 in)0.4 - 0.8 μmJelm mountain, 9656 ft. (2943m)1977[8]

Space telescopes only

The mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope is coated with Gold because of its ability to reflect infrared light. Optical telescopes typically have used aluminum or silver.
Infrared observations can see objects hidden in visible light, such as HUDF-JD2 shown.
NameEffective
aperture
cm (in)		Wavelength
Coverage		YearRefs
James Webb (JWST)650 cm0.6-28.5 µm2021-
Herschel Obs.350 cm (138″)60-672 μm2009 - 2013[2]
Hubble WFC3240 cm0.2-1.7 μm2009 -
Euclid NISP120 cm0.92-2.02 μm2023 -
Spitzer85 cm3-180 μm2003 - 2020[4]
Akari68.5 cm2-200 μm2006 -2011[4]
ISO60 cm2.5-240 μm1995-1998[4]
IRAS57 cm5-100 μm1983[4]
NEO Surveyor50 cm4–5.2 & 6–10 µm2028 (planned)[9]
WISE/NEOWISE40 cm3-25 μm2009-2011 & 2013 -[4]
MSX33 cm4.3-21 μm1996 - 1997
Spacelab IRT15.2 cm1.7-118 μm1985 Aug[10]
Human Eye †~1 cm0.39-0.75 μm-

† For comparison

See also

References

  1. ↑ Emerson, J.P., Sutherland, W.J., McPherson, A.M., Craig, S.C., Dalton, G.B., Ward, A.K. (2005). The Visible & Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy. The Messenger
  2. 1 2 Amos, Jonathan (14 June 2009). "ESA launches Herschel and Planck space telescopes". BBC. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  3. ↑ IRTF homepage
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 JPL: Herschel Space Observatory: Related Missions
  5. ↑ Krabbe, Alfred (March 2007). "SOFIA telescope". Proceedings of SPIE: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation. Munich, Germany: SPIE — The International Society for Optical Engineering. pp. 276–281. arXiv:astro-ph/0004253. Bibcode:2000SPIE.4014..276K. doi:10.1117/12.389103.
  6. ↑ Skibba, Ramin (30 September 2022). "Sofia, the Historic Airplane-Borne Telescope, Lands for the Last Time". Wired. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "Wide Field Camera 3 Instrument Handbook for Cycle 23" (PDF). Space Telescope Science Institute. January 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ University of Wyoming 2.3-meter Telescope (WIRO)
  9. ↑ NASA to Build New Asteroid-Hunting Space Telescope 2019
  10. ↑ Kent, et al. – Galactic structure from the Spacelab infrared telescope (1992).
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