Infrarotastronomie

Infrarotastronomie, also known as infrared astronomy, is the branch of astronomy and astrophysics that studies astronomical objects visible in infrared (IR) radiation. Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than those of visible light, extending from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm). The wavelength range of infrared light is usually considered to be from approximately 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers.

Infrared astronomy is important because many objects in space, such as planets, interstellar dust, and gas clouds, emit most of their radiation in the infrared spectrum. This includes objects that are too cool to radiate visible light, such as brown dwarfs and planets outside our solar system. Infrared telescopes can also penetrate regions of space that are obscured by dust, allowing astronomers to study the structure and composition of these regions.

Infrared astronomy has been conducted from ground-based observatories, as well as from space-based telescopes. Notable space-based infrared observatories include the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Herschel Space Observatory. These missions have provided valuable data and insights into the infrared universe, contributing to our understanding of the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole.