Final answer:
Infrared astronomical observations use high-altitude platforms like SOFIA to minimize atmospheric interference by water vapor, providing clearer views of the universe. SOFIA operates above 99% of this vapor, allowing for more effective infrared observations. Space-based observatories offer even clearer views by completely removing atmospheric effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of an airplane with an infra-red telescope on board is a method developed since the 1960s to observe celestial phenomena in infrared. This method enables scientists to fly above much of the Earth's atmospheric water vapor which is the main source of atmospheric interference for infrared observations. NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), for example, contains a 2.5-meter telescope aboard a modified Boeing 747SP, performing observations from an altitude of 12 kilometers to be above 99% of the atmospheric water vapor. This high-altitude observing cuts through the challenge of Earth's own heat interference, allowing astronomers to detect faint cosmic sources against what would otherwise be a bright backdrop of infrared light.
Benefits of High-Altitude Infrared Observations
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy and other similar high-flying telescopes offer significant benefits over ground-based observatories. They are positioned above most of the atmospheric water vapor, dramatically reducing infrared interference. Furthermore, airborne telescopes like SOFIA have a distinct advantage over ground-based ones, as they can be placed at various altitudes where the air is drier and thinner, which is conducive for clearer infrared observation.
Further Advancements in Infrared Observations
Advancements in technology have allowed for even higher vantage points, such as space-based observatories, to observe the cosmos. These platforms eliminate interference from the Earth's atmosphere altogether and can cool their instruments to minimize their own infrared emission, thus providing an even clearer view of the infrared universe.