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THE MISSION:
ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is an
astronomical satellite that was operational
between November 1995 and May 1998. It operated
at wavelengths from 2.5 to 240 microns, in the
infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Because the atmosphere acts as an 'umbrella'
for most infrared wavelengths -preventing them
from reaching the ground- a space telescope
is needed to detect this kind of radiation invisible
to the human eye and to optical telescopes.
ORBIT:
ISO was placed in a highly elliptical orbit
with a perigee at around 1000 km; an apogee
at 70 500 km; and a period of almost 24 hours.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
The discovery of water traces around the planets
in our solar system and as far distant as the
Orion Nebula New views of star formation, previously
hidden by dust.
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