SOFIA is about to take its last flight after eight years of science work. The flying observatory is taking one last trip outside before it ends service in September.
A modified Boeing 747 aircraft with a special door built into its side is used for the SOFIA project. SOFIA is spending its last international deployment in New Zealand, where it has been before.
The SOFIA project scientist said they are thrilled to be returning to the area.
There is a photo tour of the SOFIA flying observatory.
SOFIA can fly above 40,000 feet (12,000 meters) in altitude, making it easier to see in the dark. The telescope flies above 99% of the atmosphere's water vapor, which can affect the image.
SOFIA travels around the world to observe different parts of the sky, even though it is usually based in California. It's one of the most popular destinations.
The original mission lasted just five years. The most recent astrophysics decadal survey, published by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, suggests research priorities and budgets for the next ten years. The panel behind the report determined that the high operational costs didn't give enough return on the investment.
SOFIA will make an estimated 32 flights in its final stint in Christchurch. The observatory will use its High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus (HAWC+) instruments to map the Milky Way galaxy's magnetic fields, as well as the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies (GREAT) to study stellar feedback.
"We are committed to delivering a strong finish for this unique astrophysics mission, from a place of strength and pride, by giving our scientific community as much data as possible from the southern hemisphere," he said.
NASA's public archives will be home to the data from SOFIA's flights.
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