Nasa’s (USA) Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is a Boeing 747SP fitted with an infrared telescope with a 2.7m-wide (8.85 ft) primary mirror. ‘First light’ for the telescope occurred on 18 August 2004.

‘First light’ is the term used when a scientific observation instrument, such as a telescope, is first tested – ie the first light hits the detectors.