The International Ultraviolet Explorer: Origins and Legacy

Abstract

he International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite was launched on 26 January 1978, and operated as a Guest Observer space observatory for nearly 19 years. IUE was, without doubt, one of the most successful astronomical facilities ever developed. Used by thousands of astronomers worldwide, it yielded over 100,000 UV spectra (in the wavelength range 1150-3250A), covering stars of all types, the interstellar medium in our own galaxy and other local galaxies, the galactic halo, normal and active galaxies and QSO's, X-ray binaries, novae and supernovae, and in our solar system comets, planets and their moons. Over 3500 refereed papers have been published based on IUE results, and a similar number of papers in conference proceedings. Over 600 PhD theses have been produced based on IUE data. All IUE data are available in archives maintained by the three agencies involved in the mission: NASA, ESA and the UK Science Research Council. In this paper I will discuss the origins of the IUE mission, the special design and operation which led to its spectacular success and the legacy it left for UV astronomy.