AGU 2020 Session P044: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA): An Asset for Planetary Science

We invite the community to consider submitting an abstract to the following session at the 2020 AGU Fall meeting.

The instrument suite onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) provides unique access to the infrared sky (4-600 microns) for planetary scientists. This wavelength range is particularly relevant to solid surfaces studies, as it contains signature bands of mineral groups and organics, observed for example on asteroids Ceres and Hygiea. SOFIA provides unique diagnostics of crystalline/ amorphous composition, and of cometary dust grain size distribution. In addition, its high spectral resolution allows one to measure abundances of molecular species in planetary and cometary atmospheres, including the D/H ratio in water (Mars, comet Wirtanen). Finally, with the ability to deploy anywhere on Earth, SOFIA has been a key resource in occultations observing campaigns (Pluto, Triton, Varda,…). 

This session welcomes highlights of the latest SOFIA Solar System results. It will include a Q&A on the role of SOFIA for the planetary community, and an update on observatory status.

Abstract submission deadline: July 29, 2020

Abstract submission link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/prelim.cgi/Session/105232

Conveners:

Arielle Moullet (SOFIA/USRA)

Jim Jackson (SOFIA/USRA)