Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 1 A sampler of planetary science applications of SOFIA Mineralogy of Mercury Martian wind and water Spectroscopy of the giant planets Occultation astronomy Comets Ephemeral events

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 2 Mineralogy of Mercury Radar image of the hemisphere not imaged by Mariner 10 shows two areas of enhanced roughness. Groundbased spectroscopy shows enhanced sodium emission, likely connected to these regions. What underlying mineralogy is the source of the atmospheric sodium?

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 3 Mineralogy of Mercury The strength and exact location of a spectral feature near 6 microns can be used to distinguish among several candidate surface mineral assemblages. This wavelength is not accessible to ground-based observers but is observable with SOFIA Wavelength (microns) Normalized Spectral Emissivity KAO, 7/6/95 KAO, 5/8/95 Basalt (H1) Anorthosite (H2) Nepheline alkali syenite (H2)

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 4 Martian Wind and Water German interest in far-IR heterodyne spectroscopy for planetary science. Atmospheric sounding by line profile inversion. Line profiles depend on temperature, pressure, and mixing ratio. Vertical temperature and mixing ratio profiles can be retrieved from high S/N line profiles. This is a promising approach for locating subsurface reservoirs of water on Mars.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 5 Martian Atmospheric Structure Temperature Profile Retrieval Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Profile Retrieval

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 6 Zonal Wind Measurement Simulation of a zonal wind measurement using the doppler shift of the 162 micron Martian CO line.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 7 Spectroscopy of the Giant Planets Water on Jupiter and Saturn Galileo probe entered in an NEB hot spot, also the easiest (brightest) locations for remote sensing Hot spots are very dry, but can’t be representative KAO 5-micron spectroscopy Galileo probe in-situ measurement Water first detected on Saturn by ISO. Need higher spatial resolution No water measurement possible with Cassini SOFIA needed to determine water abundance in other regions. Zones have extinction from clouds => need higher sensitivity Need spatial resolution to separate zones from belts Airborne platform to minimize interference from telluric water

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 8 Spectroscopy of the Giant Planets Uranus and Neptune More distant and colder than Jupiter and Saturn => Need SOFIA’s high sensitivity Interesting comparative targets, like Earth and Venus Similar sizes Neptune has an internal heat source Different amounts of atmospheric activity Mid- and Far-IR spectral line sounding will determine H/He ratio (i.e. He mixing ratio) and vertical temperature profiles D/H ratio can be determined from FIR rotational transitions of HD

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 9 Spatial resolution is limited by diffraction, (~ 1-2 km), the angular diameter of the occulted star, and the lightcurve S/N ratio Examples of airborne occultation results: Discovery of the central flash phenomenon Discovery of the Uranian rings Discovery of Pluto’s unusual atmospheric structure What Do We Learn From Stellar Occultation Observations? The mechanisms dimming the star are: Refraction in an atmosphere Extinction by particles, aerosols, or the solid body of the occulting object Refractive lightcurves can be inverted to provide temperature profiles in a region between UVS and radio occultations. KAO (1988) Pluto occultation lightcurve

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 10 Occultation Work with SOFIA Technical: Much larger aperture, more sensitive and faster instruments Simultaneous optical/IR observing Lower elevation limit - fewer missed opportunities Scientific: Triton and Pluto - comparative planetology Seasonal change in atmospheric density, already detected on Triton Is the Pluto occultation lightcurve due to an inversion or to extinction? Kuiper Belt Objects What is a typical KBO albedo? Are there different types of KBO surfaces? These are very small and distant objects. Prediction is challenging and mobility is critical.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 11 Comets Comets are the closest we can get to primordial material Water is the driving force in comets Many organic materials are present with spectral features at wavelengths that are inaccessible to ground-based telescopes SOFIA will be uniquely able to contribute to comet science: Access to water vapor spectral features Mobility allows observation from both hemispheres Low elevation range allows observation at low solar elongation Large aperture allows observation of distant comets

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 12 Ephemeral Events The impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter: The ultimate ephemeral event. The KAO program was able to: Hold a peer review Support three investigations Deploy to Australia to maximize productivity Carry out an ambitious flight schedule - 7 flights in 9 days with 2 instrument changes

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 13 The 1994 “Comet Crash” Major Airborne Contributions: Detection of hot water vapor and no cold water vapor => cometary nucleus is the source, high altitude explosion Intense emission from methane provided an independent temperature measurement. No detectable FIR water emission after the impacts also supports high altitude terminal disruption.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 14 Science A few SOFIA Science Examples: Stellar Occultations by Solar System Objects: Shadows of SSOs cast by stars may appear anywhere on earth - Measureable sizes > ~ 200 km - Ground speed up to ~ 30 km/s SOFIA can be there, free from clouds and scintillation noise - High-speed photometry achieves ~ few km resolution - Numerous useful occultation events possible each year Simultaneous HIPO (visible) and FLITECAM (NIR) data will - Probe atmospheres & rings (Rings of Uranus were discovered from KAO) - Establish sizes of ~ 30 KBOs (eg Sedna), constraining geometric albedo - Confront details of solar system formation models (debris disks) Extrasolar Planet Transits: Possible with S/N comparable to HST - Estimate planet sizes - With Doppler velocity observations, estimate planet densities Dunham

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 15 SOFIA + ALMA Studies of Protoplanetary Disks ALMA will image the millimeter dust continuum and CO emission, resolving scales ~10 AU, to examine morphology, and to estimate dust and gas content; gas kinematics will constrain the stellar mass. EXES on SOFIA can resolve line profiles of emission arising from warmer inner (<~10AU) parts of the disk, constraining the gas mass and morphology. Some lines expected are H 2 (28 µm), S I (25 µm), and Fe II (26 µm). Also H 2 O, CH 4, and CO should be detectable, and possibly HCN and C 2 H 2. Theoretical H 2 line profiles from a disk with and without gap at 3 AU. 12 µm 17 µm 28µm Combination will challenge disk structure and chemistry models Science Lacy

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 16 Habitats for Life: SOFIA will reveal the cycle of organic molecules SOFIA can tell us: what molecules are forming in the atmospheres of Red Giant Stars… …about the processing that takes place in the Interstellar Medium …and what organic constituents are incorporated into protoplanetary disks. Plus: SOFIA observation of comets can help to provide an inventory of the organic matter in the primitive Solar Nebula. Science

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 17 Transits of Extrasolar planets SOFIA will fly above the scintillating components of the atmosphere with optical sensitivity comparable to HST to observe extrasolar planetary transits. HIPO will be able to detect weak transit signals with high signal-to-noise, conclusively determining the status of candidate extrasolar planets discovered by transit surveys. SOFIA’S long life will be a boon to this program. HD artist’s concept (left) and HST STIS data (below) Science

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 18 Stellar Occultations of Solar System objects Simultaneous HIPO (visible) and FLITECAM (NIR) data will –Probe atmospheres & rings (Rings of Uranus were discovered from KAO) –Establish sizes of satellites & KBOs (eg SEDNA) at ~ few km resolution Confront details of solar system formation models Science Numerous occultation events per year are expected to be possible with SOFIA! The Outer Solar System

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Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 21 ISO Titan spectra and Roe et al. (2003) TEXES spectra

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 22 Titan model with and without propane

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 23 Probing Kuiper Belt Objects Spitzer can detect or set limits on KBO fluxes to determine sizes / albedos SOFIA will see Stellar Occultations of Solar System objects –Probes atmospheres, satellites, & rings uniquely between rare mission fly-bys –Uniquely probes the sizes of objects such as Sedna and KBOs; visible & near-IR data simultaneously with HIPO & FLITECAM Expecting approximately three occultation events per year with SOFIA

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 24 SOFIA in comparison with other observatories Comparison of capabilities –Large NIR ground-based Observatories; “Gemini” –JWST –Spitzer –Herschel –Large ground-based Sub-MM Observatories; “JCMT” –Sub-MM and MM Interferometers; “ALMA” Comparison of timelines Objective: To show how SOFIA fits into the “Big Picture” of Far- IR Universe Exploration

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 25 Examples of Complementary Studies of Protoplanetary Disks Around Pre-MS Stars ALMA: Image the MM dust continuum and molecular emission Resolving scales ~ AU Morphology; estimate dust and gas content; gas kinematics Gemini-like Ground-based observatories: Detect hot dust continuum emission (from <~few AU) Resolve fluorescent spectral line/feature emission caused by exposure to UV radiation SOFIA (emission from ~ AU i.e., where terrestrial planets form): Resolve line profiles of emission arising from warmer inner (<~10AU) parts of the disk H 2 (28 µm), S I (25 µm), and Fe II (26 µm), H 2 O, CH 4, and CO should be detectable, and possibly HCN and C 2 H 2 In addition, resolve line profiles of gas tracers [O I] and [C II] in emission throughout the disk, and accretion shock OH lines in forming disks Constraining the gas mass; thermal balance; vertical structure; chemistry; disk formation

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 26 Atmospheric Transmission and Observatory Wavelength Ranges Infrared/Sub-MM Observatories SOFIA Herschel Hubble JWST SAFIR Ground-Bound “ Gemini ” “ JCMT & ALMA ” Spitzer

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 27 SOFIA compared with other Observatories SOFIA and Herschel will provide images of the Far-IR Universe with at least three times the spatial resolution ever achieved before. Herschel Spitzer SOFIA Wavelength [µm] Gemini JCMT JWST ~0.01” ALMA

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 28 SOFIA compared with other Observatories Wavelength [µm] Herschel SOFIA Spitzer Gemini JCMT ALMA JWST Spitzer and Herschel will provide best sensitivity in the Far-IR so far achieved SOFIA will provide the best spectral coverage and spectral resolutions

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 29 SOFIA’s first generation of Science Instruments….

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 30 More coverage than any other IR/sub-mm space mission planned or currently operating.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 31 More coverage than any other IR/sub-mm observatory planned or currently operating. Ground-Based Observatories Grey bands = ground- bound

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 32 Every four/five years SOFIA re-invents itself…. New SOFIA instruments will : Extend spectral resolution coverage Add polarimeters Extend detector array sizes Improve data acquisition techniques Increase field of view

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 33 …and will likely be the only window to the luminous Far-IR Universe in the decade of Spitzer Herschel SOFIA SAFIR ? ?

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 34 Frequency (THz) SOFIA Wavelength (µm) JWST SPITZER IR - Far IR - Sub-mm Observatories Herschel SAFIR Ground-based Observatories SOFIA

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 35 IR - Far IR - Sub-mm Missions Year Frequency (THz) IRAS COBE ISO ODIN SWAS Herschel SOFIA Wavelength (µm) KAO JWST ASTRO-F Herschel Spitzer Planck Airborne observatories provide temporal continuity and wide spectral coverage, complementing other facilities. WISE Rationale SAFIR

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 36 Frequency (THz) SOFIA Wavelength (µm) SPITZER Infrared Space Observatories Herschel SAFIR Ground-based Observatories JWST ? SOFIA provides temporal continuity and wide spectral coverage, complementing other infrared observatories.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 37 SOFIA and Spitzer SOFIA will become operational near the time that Spitzer runs out of cryogens. The science impact of not being contemporary is small: Spitzer is a high sensitivity imaging and low resolution spectroscopy mission. SOFIA is a high spectral and high angular resolution mission As it now stands, the two observatories are very complementary and when Spitzer runs out of cryogens in early FY09, SOFIA will be the only observatory working in the 25 to 60 micron region for over 10 years: Comets, Supernovae, Variable AGN, other discoveries.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 38 SOFIA / Spitzer Capabilities Comments Opportunity for significant operations overlap ( ) –Important to have ~3yr overlap for coordinating Spitzer / SOFIA followups –Allows simultaneous Spitzer / SOFIA observations of time variable phenomena (e.g. protostellar accretion over  =  m) Spitzer has tremendous sensitivity, especially at shorter wavelengths; sensitivity matched with SOFIA at ~160  m. Spitzer + SOFIA span an incredible dynamic range with good overlap! SOFIA has 3x diffraction-limited spatial resolution =24  m (FORCAST / EXES) will have same angular resolution as Spitzer IRAC / =8  m =52 & 88  m (HAWC; FIFI-LS) will have similar or better angular resolution than Spitzer (MIPS; =24  m SOFIA has higher spectral resolution, different coverage R=2000 ( =1 – 5  m); R=10 5 ( =5 – 28  m); R=2000 ( =  m) –SOFIA has heterodyne >110  m (1 st light) –Spitzer IRS has R=70 over = 5-10  m and up to R=600 over =  m

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 39 Some Synergistic Science Examples Bright debris disks: Understanding the archetypes Tracing planet formation clues Organic matter in the ISM Resolving star formation Leveraging the Legacies Probing KBOs

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 40 Evolution of proto-planetary dust & gas disks into planetary systems: SOFIA can resolve the nearby debris disks and obtain dust SED -> Giving disk dust properties, size and mass, as well as disk structure -> Giving evidence for planets -> Complementing to SED disk gap results that Spitzer will find for MANY disk systems… (next page) SOFIA EXES can detect disk clearing by planets forming in circumstellar disks using high- resolution spectroscopy of H 2, H 2 O, & CH 4 lines with ~3 km/s resolution

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 41 Spitzer Infers Circumstellar Disk Gaps

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 42 Spectroscopic Dissection Spitzer will find ices, hydrocarbons, and other organic matter in many objects SOFIA has the spectral resolution needed to identify compounds precisely to allow detailed physical and chemical analysis Boogert (1999) ISO SWS observations of CO fundamental in YSO Elias 29. Solid CO is detected at R=400 and 2000, but gas- phase CO is detected at R=2000 only.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 43 Leveraging the Spitzer Legacies High spatial resolution FORCAST, FIFI-LS, & HAWC observations of SINGS galaxies resolve embedded star formation. –circumnuclear and (partial) disk mapping of ~10 sources (1-2 flights) with FIFI- LS Resolve confused or saturated galactic plane regions in GLIMPSE survey High spatial & spectral (accretion /jet diagnostics) observations of C2D protostars (EXES, FORCAST grism) High resolution maps of bright disks and spectra (e.g. H 2 gas search with EXES) of FEPS post-planetary disks.

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 44 SINGS: Spitzer Nearby Galaxies Survey Basic idea: Study star formation and galaxy evolution by observing mid-to-far-IR emission (IRAC & MIPS) Observe 75 nearby galaxies with IRAC, MIPS, and IRS in nearly every instrument mode! (3.6 – 160  m imaging; 5 – 37  m high & low resolution). MIPS (red) & IRAC MIPS SED + IRS low IRS low & hi pointings

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 45 SOFIA Science Capability Summary Exciting unique science to be done with SOFIA –Occultations, extrasolar planets, molecular & atomic gas, galactic center SOFIA’s compelling far-IR and sub-mm science will only get better with new detectors –Better arrays, heterodyne detectors, higher, bigger bolometers, etc. SOFIA & Spitzer are a synergistic combination - the whole of their data will have much more value than either observatory alone: –Spatial resolution, dynamic range, spectral coverage & resolution

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 46 SOFIA and Herschel Herschel and SOFIA will now start at about the same time Joint calibration work is on going For the years of overlap, SOFIA will be only program –with 25 to 60 micron capability –with high resolution spectroscopy in the 60 to 150 micron region When cryogens run out in Herschel in ~2011 SOFIA will be only NASA mission in 25 to 600 micron region for many years –Important follow-up –Advanced instrumentation will give unique capabilities to SOFIA: Polarization, Heterodyne Arrays, Heterodyne Spectroscopy at 28 microns (ground state of molecular hydrogen), and other interesting astrophysics lines Both missions are critically important and complementary

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 47 SOFIA and JWST SOFIA is very complementary to JWST Before JWST is deployed and after Spitzer cryogens run out, SOFIA is only mission with 5 to 8 micron capabilities –important organic signatures After JWST is launched SOFIA is the only mission to give complementary observation beyond 28 microns and high resolution spectroscopy in 5 to 28 micron region

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 48 SOFIA will make major contributions to our understanding of….. Structure and evolution of galaxies and their central black holes Lifecycle of stars in the Milky Way and other galaxies –First and last stages of stellar evolution Molecular clouds as cradles for star and planet formation Emergence of stellar and planetary systems Habitats for life in the Milky Way –Organic chemistry in the ISM Evolution of proto-planetary dust and gas disks into planetary systems –Evidence of planets in disks around young stars Extrasolar planets (transits) Atmospheres & multiplicity of objects in outer solar system –Evolution of our system for comparison with extrasolar systems …. topics on the Origins 2003 Roadmap (with some SEU and SSE relevance)

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 49 In summary …. SOFIA has unique spectral and temporal coverage –High-resolution spectroscopy, unique at 28 <  < 150  m Exploring the physics/chemistry behind phenomena –( /10  m) arc-sec image quality, unique for 30 <  < ~60  m –Unique long operating lifetime Accretion phenomena; Planetary disks; Transits; Supernovae SOFIA will increase its unique complement of capabilities in the future –E.g., Polarimetry Determine the relevance of magnetic fields in –Star Formation; Protoplanetary Disk formation; Galactic processes SOFIA will be a test-bed of technologies for future Far-IR missions –Large far-IR detector arrays increased mapping capabilities SOFIA is a hands-on Far-IR observatory –Will train future mission scientists and instrumentalists

Universities Space Research Association Communications Integrated Systems NAPA Meeting Page 50 Science Summary The science vision for SOFIA is: –Studying the origin of stars and planetary systems –Studying the planetary bodies that make up our Solar System –Studying the life-cyle of dust and gas in galaxies –Studying the composition of the molecular universe –Studying the role of star formation and black hole activity in the energetics of luminous galaxies SOFIA has a unique suite of instruments that cover a wide range of wavelengths at a wide range of spectral resolution. Most have upgraded their detectors and science. SOFIA will be continuously and inexpensively upgraded with new instrumentation and will serve as an important technology development platform for future space missions and will allow new and important science, such a full mapping of molecular hydrogen and unique magnetic field studies. SOFIA is a highly visible icon for education and public outreach and will immerse educators in the scientific process.