This artist’s conception of the Spitzer Space Telescope illustrates not only the infrared space telescope’s mirror, tube, and equipment, but a visualization of infrared gas and dust that can only be revealed from a space-based infrared observatory. (NASA/JPL-CALTECH)

These 22 Pictures Are The Perfect Farewell To NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope

One of NASA’s original great observatories, Spitzer showed us the infrared Universe as never before.

On January 30, 2020, NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope was retired after a 17 year mission.

Prior to its 2003 launch, Spitzer was completed on the ground and installed inside a Delta II rocket at Kennedy Space Center. This photo was taken on August 14, 2003. (NASA)

Along with Hubble, Compton, and Chandra, Spitzer was the final of NASA’s Great Observatories.

The fourth and final element in NASA’s family of orbiting Great Observatories, Spitzer was successfully launched from Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral on August 25, 2003. (NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION)

Owing to its location above Earth’s atmosphere, its measurement capabilities were unique.

The transmittance or opacity of the electromagnetic spectrum through the atmosphere. Note all the absorption features in gamma rays, X-rays, and the infrared, which is why the greatest of our observatories in these wavelength are all located in space. The infrared, in particular, was spectacularly covered by NASA’s Spitzer, and will be again by James Webb. (NASA)

Until James Webb launches, Spitzer remains humanity’s greatest mid-infrared observatory.

The James Webb Space Telescope vs. Hubble in size (main) and vs. an array of other telescopes (inset) in terms of wavelength and sensitivity. It should be able to see the truly first galaxies, the earliest, most pristine stars, the smallest directly imaged planets and more. Its power is truly unprecedented, as it’s more than an order of magnitude better than Spitzer across all relevant wavelengths. (NASA / JWST SCIENCE TEAM)