Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
IRIS is a NASA Small Explorer solar observatory that combines ultraviolet imaging and spectroscopy to resolve the Sun's chromosphere and transition region. Its measurements trace how plasma, magnetic fields, and energy move through the lower solar atmosphere, addressing how the corona is heated and how the solar wind and eruptive activity are powered.
Follow this mission
Alerts for this mission, including changes. Time-based alerts will start when a time is available.
Identity
- Aliases
- IRISExplorer 942013-033A
- Name
- Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
- Slug
- interface-region-imaging-spectrograph
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- IRIS is a NASA Small Explorer solar observatory that combines ultraviolet imaging and spectroscopy to resolve the Sun's chromosphere and transition region. Its measurements trace how plasma, magnetic fields, and energy move through the lower solar atmosphere, addressing how the corona is heated and how the solar wind and eruptive activity are powered.
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- IRIS entered its planned Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit and began science observations in July 2013. It completed its two-year prime mission and continues extended operations, producing high-resolution spectra and images that reveal fine structure, rapid heating, and mass and energy transport in the Sun's interface region.
- Program
- Small Explorer
- Start Date
- 2013-06-27
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/iris/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 18, 2026 at 18:11:10 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 18, 2026 at 18:11:10 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles