International Stratospheric Laboratory for Astrophysics (ISLA): the optimum astronomical observatory for the 21st century

Gerhard F.O. Schnur; K.-H. Stenvers

doi:10.1117/12.185290

13 September 1994 International Stratospheric Laboratory for Astrophysics (ISLA): the optimum astronomical observatory for the 21st century

Gerhard F.O. Schnur, K.-H. Stenvers

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Proceedings Volume 2209, Space Optics 1994: Earth Observation and Astronomy; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.185290
Event: Space Optics '94, 1994, Garmisch, Germany

Abstract

ISLA--the International Stratospheric Laboratory for Astrophysics--is proposed as the consequential evolution from present ground- and space-based astronomical observatories. ISLA operates remotely controlled at approximately 15 km altitude. Its diffraction limited 4 m telescopes permit imaging with 30 milli-arcsec resolution, while the interferometric combination of its telescopes reaches milli-arcsec resolution. The extremely low residual water vapor allows nearly unhindered observations from the infrared to the sub-mm spectral range. The efficiency of imaging and spectroscopy increases by about 10³, due to the improved light concentration, and interferometric observations will even be facilitated by factors of 10⁴ to 10⁵ compared to ground-based observations. ISLA combines the advantages of modern pressurized balloons with those of rigid airships. Several diffraction limited, extremely light telescopes of 2 to 4 m diameter are stationed on ISLA, together with the optics necessary for interferometry. The size and numbers of telescopes on ISLA will surpass any present and realistic future space telescope projects. The advantages of easy maintenance and exchange of instrumentation assure that the ISLA observatory will permanently be at the state of art. Scientific challenges to be tackled with ISLA are the search for extra-solar planets, details of star forming regions, surfaces of giant stars, nuclei of galaxies, gravitational lenses and the evolution of novae and supernovae etc. Many more presently unasked important scientific questions will arise than can be answered, but most likely there will be fascinating totally unexpected discoveries from ISLA.

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Gerhard F.O. Schnur and K.-H. Stenvers "International Stratospheric Laboratory for Astrophysics (ISLA): the optimum astronomical observatory for the 21st century", Proc. SPIE 2209, Space Optics 1994: Earth Observation and Astronomy, (13 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.185290

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KEYWORDS

Space telescopes

Telescopes

Interferometry

Observatories

Astronomy

Spatial resolution

Diffraction

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