What Is Spitzer Doing Now?

Spitzer is currently scheduled to be taking calibration data or performing routine engineering functions.

The image on the right is a screen capture from a computer that continuously predicts Spitzer's current position in the solar system. You can click on the image to view it at high resolution (1220x907). The panel in the upper left shows Spitzer's current orientation as seen from Earth, and the right shows where Spitzer is relative to the Earth. The picture is scheduled to update every 5 minutes.

All the information on this site is based on Spitzer's official schedule. This information is generally correct, but may not reflect Spitzer's actual operating status for many reasons. Occasionally unexpected technical issues cause the observatory to stop taking scheduled science observations. Also, in the case of a significant scientific discovery or an unexpected target of opportunity, the observing schedule may be changed without these computer models being updated. Errors on the computer that create the image above can cause the image to not appear, to not update, or to give the appearance that Spitzer has "fallen over." These images do not reflect actual spacecraft conditions.

This page refreshes every 5 minutes.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is a NASA mission managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This website is maintained by the Spitzer Science Center, located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology and part of NASA's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. Privacy Policy