Airborne Observatory at NASA Ames Research Center October 15, 2011

The public is invited to tour SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011.

SOFIA is a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that carries a telescope with a 100-inch reflecting mirror that conducts astronomy research not possible with ground-based telescopes. SOFIA is housed at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., however, this Saturday SOFIA will be located at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Admission is free but tickets are required to tour the aircraft. Limit six tickets per family.

To register, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/events/2011/sofia.html