WISE telescope launched

A "small" (only 40 cm in diameter) telescope launched to survey to entire sky at mid-infrared wavelengths (where brown dwarfs, stars and AGN behind lots of dust, and dusty galaxies are easiest to detect), WISE is going to be an extremely important telescope for years to come (even though it is only designed to work for a year). Because it will make the most sensitive all-sky map at these wavelengths, it is likely to discover new classes of sources, and identify interesting objects for the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter Array to observed in detail. Go here for more information, and wish them luck!

Update: Here is a nice summary of different news articles regarding what different astronomers hope WISE will discover. Even though most of the objects I work on (neutron stars, pulsar wind nebulae) are unlikely to be detected by this satellite, I think projects like this one are some of the most important in astronomy. All-sky surveys have the greatest potential of discovering new things we didn't know and didn't guess exist, that is almost always the most exciting discovery of all. Stay tuned!