WISE – the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) will map the whole sky in 6 months following its launch and in-orbit checkout. Launch is currently scheduled for November, 2009. WISE should cover more than 95% of sky with sensitvities of 120, 160, 650 & 2600 μJy in bands centered at 3.3, 4.7, 12 & 23 μm wavelength. The angular resolution should be 6'' except at 23 μm where diffraction gives 12''. The low thermal background makes telescopes at Dome C very useful for follow-up observations of WISE sources.