IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer)

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) was a satellite telescope launched in 1978 that studied the universe in ultraviolet light—an energetic form of light invisible to the human eye. Its main purpose was to observe stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects to understand their composition, behavior, and life cycles. IUE provided high-resolution spectra, helping scientists analyze the chemical elements and physical conditions of cosmic sources. Operated until 1996, it significantly advanced astronomy by capturing ultraviolet data that ground-based telescopes cannot, opening a new window into the universe’s energetic processes.