NASA bids farewell to the Spitzer Space Telescope

The infrared eye was closed after studying the universe for over 16 years

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What just happened? Yesterday, the Spitzer Space Telescope completed its last assignment of measuring dust in our solar system. NASA has put the spacecraft into safe mode, retiring it from service. The craft provided many fascinating discoveries during its mission.

Named in honor of the famed astronomer, Lyman Spitzer, NASA's infrared space telescope launched into space in 2003. On Thursday, it was finally decommissioned, laying the groundwork for the James Web Space Telescope (JWST) in making future discoveries.

"Spitzer has taught us about entirely new aspects of the cosmos and taken us many steps further in understanding how the universe works, addressing questions about our origins, and whether or not are we alone," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.