The KAO Nitro Tanks

Just as a regular camera can't emit any light of its own, so must an infrared telescope not emit any heat of its own. Thus the KAO carries its own liquid nitrogen at a temperature of 77 Kelvin (-321.7 degrees Fahrenheit, -196 degrees Celsius) in order to keep the telescope colder than the objects it is trying to observe.

Back one stage Continue with the tour