Browsing: ASTHROS

ASTHROS (Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Submillimeter-wavelengths) is a mission developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to study the far-infrared spectrum from the stratosphere. Scheduled for launch on a stratospheric balloon in 2023, ASTHROS aims to map the presence and movement of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon in different parts of the galaxy, providing insights into the processes of star formation and the dynamics within the interstellar medium. The balloon will carry a specially designed telescope high above the majority of Earth’s atmosphere, reducing atmospheric interference and allowing for clearer observations than ground-based telescopes can achieve. This mission will help astronomers understand more about the life cycle of stars and the structure of the galaxy, contributing valuable data to the field of astrophysics.