mid infrared

Mid infrared, meaning the middle of the infrared band, is generally considered to include wavelengths in the range of 7.5-25 μm. Astronomical bands include the N band and Q band, each associated with an atmospheric window. Some of the major visible-light telescopes located at very high altitude include mid-infrared instruments. More-specialized mid-infrared-capable telescopes include:

• United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT).
• IRTF.
• Infrared Telescope Maffei (ITM).
• James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) (space).
• Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) (space).

Past:

• SOFIA (airborne).
• Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) (airborne).
• Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) (space).
• AKARI (space).
• Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) (space).
• IRTS (space).
• IRAS (space).

Proposed/future:

• University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO).
• SPICA (space).
• Origins Space Telescope (OST) (space).
• NEO Surveyor (space).