Mission Overview

Map of Observations

FUSE Observations

Wavelength Coverage

FUSE wavelength coverage plot

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) was launched June 24, 1999, and was decommissioned on October 18, 2007, after failure of the pointing system on the satellite. The Canadian and French space agencies were partners with NASA in designing and operating the FUSE Mission. FUSE was operated for NASA by the Henry A. Rowland Department of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University.

Over eight years of operations, FUSE acquired over 6000 observations of nearly 3000 separate astronomical targets. All the archived data is now public and no longer requires user registration. Astronomers used FUSE to observe a tremendous range of object types, from planets and comets in our solar system to hot and cool stars in our Milky Way and nearby galaxies, and even to distant active galaxies and quasars. However, FUSE's real claim to fame was its ability to sense and diagnose the physical conditions in the tenuous regions of interstellar and intergalactic space, regions that are often considered to be empty!

Active From

June 24, 1999 - October 18, 2007

Resolution 

R ~ 20,000

Capabilities

  • Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Documentation

Search Tools

Featured Data Products

Preview Files: Preview plots for each observation. 

Spectral Container Files: A single spectrum spanning the entire FUSE wavelength range.

Exposure-level Files: Raw and extracted spectra for each exposure, as well as photon event lists.

Observation-level Data Files: Combination of all individual exposures for each specific set of channel and segment.

FUSE Images

Slideshow

FUSE Coverage Plot
FUSE Coverage Plot

Supplemental Links