1800 CE
William Herschel Discovers Infrared Radiation
William Herschel discovers infrared radiation through an experiment measuring temperature beyond red light, laying the foundation for infrared astronomy. #astronomy #discovery
Chronological Storyline (17 Milestones)
1834 CE
First Infrared Observations of the Moon
John Herschel conducts early infrared measurements of the Moon, using a thermopile, confirming that the Moon emits heat. #astronomy #history
By W. Ward - from https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/20/ed/332312425c9e7f74117db3af38cc.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140173380
1860 CE
First Spectroscopic Detection of Atmosphere
William Huggins uses spectroscopy to detect molecular lines in the infrared region, paving the way for chemical analysis of celestial objects. #astronomy #spectroscopy
By John Collier - one or more third parties have made copyright claims against Wikimedia Commons in relation to the work from which this is sourced or a purely mechanical reproduction thereof. This may be due to recognition of the "sweat of the brow" doctrine, allowing works to be eligible for protection through skill and labour, and not purely by originality as is the case in the United States (where this website is hosted). These claims may or may not be valid in all jurisdictions. As such, use of this image in the jurisdiction of the claimant or other countries may be regarded as copyright infringement. Please see Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6365203
1955 CE
First Infrared Photoelectric Detectors
Development of sensitive photoconductive detectors such as lead sulfide enables ground-based infrared astronomical observations. #technology #astronomy
1963 CE
Discovery of Infrared Stars with Caltech
Gerry Neugebauer and Robert Leighton use a 62-inch telescope to discover thousands of infrared sources, identifying cool stars. #astronomy #discovery
1968 CE
First Balloon-Borne Infrared Telescope
A balloon carrying a 30 cm telescope observes the galactic center in the infrared, demonstrating the advantage of observing above the atmosphere. #astronomy #technology
By NASA/Bill Rodman - NASA Super Pressure Balloon Begins Globetrotting Journey, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48897660
1970 CE
First Infrared Observations from Rockets
Rocket-borne detectors make brief suborbital infrared observations, revealing the structure of the galactic plane. #astronomy #space
1974 CE
Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) First Flight
NASA's KAO, a modified C-141 aircraft carrying a 91 cm telescope, begins operations, enabling infrared observations from the stratosphere. #astronomy #airborne
By NASA http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/space/lfs/kao_abov.jpg - a restored version of Image:Kao_abov.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2819592
1975 CE
First Ground-Based Mid-Infrared Images
Development of mid-infrared cameras allows imaging of star-forming regions from the ground, with atmospheric windows at 10 and 20 microns. #astronomy #imaging
By Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3484188
Jan 25, 1983 CE
IRAS Launched: First Infrared Space Survey
The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) performs the first all-sky survey in the infrared, discovering 350,000 sources, including protostars and galaxies. #astronomy #space
By NASA/JPL-Caltech - https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/who-we-are/history/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167020878
1984 CE
Discovery of Vega's Debris Disk
IRAS detects a debris disk around Vega, the first evidence of a planetary system analog, highlighting the power of infrared for exoplanet studies. #astronomy #exoplanets
By Lyra_constellation_map.png: Torsten Bronger derivative work: Kxx (talk) - Lyra_constellation_map.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10840225
1987 CE
ISO Proposal and Development
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is approved by ESA, designed to observe in the 2.5-240 micron range with high sensitivity. #astronomy #esa
By Pline - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30476275
Nov 18, 1989 CE
COBE Launched: Cosmic Microwave Background
NASA's COBE satellite includes FIRAS instrument mapping the cosmic infrared background, providing crucial data for cosmology. #astronomy #cosmology
By NASA - https://science.nasa.gov/toolkits/spacecraft-icons (image link), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58072784
1990 CE
First Ground-Based Submillimeter Telescope
The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) on Mauna Kea begins observations, opening the submillimeter window for star formation studies. #astronomy #telescope
By A. Woodcraft (AdamW at en.wikipedia) - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4929891
Nov 17, 1995 CE
ISO Launched: Infrared Space Observatory
ESA's ISO provides high-resolution spectroscopy and imaging in the infrared, revealing molecular complexity in interstellar clouds. #astronomy #esa
1997 CE
SCUBA on JCMT: Submillimeter Camera
The Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) on JCMT enables deep submillimeter mapping of star-forming regions and distant galaxies. #astronomy #instrumentation
2001 CE
First Direct Detection of Exoplanet in Infrared
The Hubble Space Telescope's NICMOS instrument images the exoplanet HR 8799b in the infrared, a milestone in exoplanet direct imaging. #astronomy #exoplanets
By Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Laurent Pueyo (STScI), William Balmer (JHU), Marshall Perrin (STScI) - HR 8799 (NIRCam Image), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162292518