Information covering important topics for today's educators and parents. The purpose of the NASA Quest series is to bring NASA people and science to K-12 classrooms via the Internet. The KAO, named after a man whom many today regard as the father of modern planetary science, is a national facility operated by NASA to support research in infrared astronomy. The observation platform is a highly modified C-141A jet transport aircraft. The primary mission of this aircraft is to carry out airborne infrared astronomy up above most of the water vapor in our atmosphere.
Water vapor absorbs infrared radiation coming from planets, stars and galaxies.
In order for astronomers to view this radiation, a telescope must be flown above this water. Sample astronomical images include new infrared camera images of the Orion nebula, a hidden supernova revealed in M 82, and the IR spectra of comet hitting Jupiter. The site features resources for learning which are further divided into the teacher's section, the students' section and collaborative activities, in addition to video materials. The teacher's section contains such information as online curriculum materials, the NASA instructional TV and video programs, and the WebChat that provides opportunities to interact online with KAO astronomers, aircrew and other students all across America. The students' section features a tutorial on telescopes in airplanes and a gallery of student work.