Infrared Processing and Analysis Center
Encyclopedia
The Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) is the NASA
science center responsible for the data processing, analysis, and archiving of NASA's infrared astronomy and astrophysics missions. It is located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology
in Pasadena, California
.
IPAC was established in 1986 to provide support for the joint European-American orbiting infrared telescope, the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, or IRAS. The IRAS mission performed an unbiased, sensitive all-sky survey at 12, 25, 60 and 100 µm during 1983. After the mission ended, IPAC started the Infrared Science Archive (IRSA) to make the data available to anyone who needed it.
Later, NASA designated IPAC as the U.S. science support center for the European Infrared Space Observatory
(ISO), which ceased operations in 1998. About that same time, IPAC was designated as the science center for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) -- renamed the Spitzer Space Telescope
after launch. IPAC also assumed the lead role in various other infrared space missions, including the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) and the Midcourse Space Experiment
(MSX). IPAC also expanded its support to include ground-based missions with the assumption of science support responsibilities for the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS
), a near-infrared survey of the entire sky conducted by twin observatories in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
In 1999, IPAC formed an interferometry science center, originally called the Michelson Science Center (MSC) after interferometry pioneer Albert A. Michelson. MSC was renamed the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) in 2008.
Today, the greater IPAC includes the Spitzer Science Center, the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and the NASA Herschel Science Center. The combined efforts of these centers support more than a dozen science missions and archives. IPAC is also participating organization in the Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO).
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
science center responsible for the data processing, analysis, and archiving of NASA's infrared astronomy and astrophysics missions. It is located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
.
IPAC was established in 1986 to provide support for the joint European-American orbiting infrared telescope, the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, or IRAS. The IRAS mission performed an unbiased, sensitive all-sky survey at 12, 25, 60 and 100 µm during 1983. After the mission ended, IPAC started the Infrared Science Archive (IRSA) to make the data available to anyone who needed it.
Later, NASA designated IPAC as the U.S. science support center for the European Infrared Space Observatory
Infrared Space Observatory
The Infrared Space Observatory was a space telescope for infrared light designed and operated by the European Space Agency , in cooperation with ISAS and NASA...
(ISO), which ceased operations in 1998. About that same time, IPAC was designated as the science center for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) -- renamed the Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer Space Telescope
The Spitzer Space Telescope , formerly the Space Infrared Telescope Facility is an infrared space observatory launched in 2003...
after launch. IPAC also assumed the lead role in various other infrared space missions, including the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) and the Midcourse Space Experiment
Midcourse Space Experiment
The Midcourse Space Experiment is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite experiment to map bright infrared sources in space...
(MSX). IPAC also expanded its support to include ground-based missions with the assumption of science support responsibilities for the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS
2MASS
Observations for the Two Micron All-Sky Survey began in 1997 and were completed in 2001 at two telescopes located one each in the northern and southern hemispheres to ensure coverage of the entire sky...
), a near-infrared survey of the entire sky conducted by twin observatories in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
In 1999, IPAC formed an interferometry science center, originally called the Michelson Science Center (MSC) after interferometry pioneer Albert A. Michelson. MSC was renamed the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) in 2008.
Today, the greater IPAC includes the Spitzer Science Center, the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute and the NASA Herschel Science Center. The combined efforts of these centers support more than a dozen science missions and archives. IPAC is also participating organization in the Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO).
External links
- IPAC official Web site
- NExScI official Web site
- SSC official Web site
- NHSC official Web site
- Infrared Science Archive official Web site
- NASA Star and Exoplanet Database (NStED) official Web site]
- NASA Extragalactic Database official Web site
- Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer official Web site
- Virtual Astronomical Observatory official Web site
- Montage Image Mosaic Software official Web site