Artist's impression of ISO

ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) is the world's first true astronomical observatory in space operating at infrared wavelengths. Astronomers can choose specific targets in the sky and point ISO towards them for up to 10 h at a time to make observations with versatile instruments of unprecedented sensitivity. During its lifetime of more than 2 years, ISO is observing all classes of astronomical objects, ranging from planets and comets in our own solar system, right out to the most distant galaxies. [Image Date: 23-10-95] [95.10.008-001]