Browsing: Herschel Space Observatory

The Herschel Space Observatory was a European Space Agency (ESA) space observatory launched in 2009 and operational until 2013. Named after Sir William Herschel, the astronomer who discovered infrared radiation, Herschel was the largest infrared telescope ever launched, featuring a 3.5-meter diameter primary mirror. The observatory was designed to study the universe by observing infrared radiation, which is invisible to the naked eye but crucial for understanding phenomena that cannot be seen in visible light, such as the formation of stars and galaxies from dust clouds. Herschel’s mission provided significant insights into the cold and distant parts of the universe, offering a new window into star formation and galaxy evolution. It also studied the molecular composition of comets, planetary atmospheres, and the molecular gas and dust in other galaxies, contributing to a deeper understanding of cosmic history and processes. The mission concluded when the telescope’s supply of liquid helium, which was necessary to cool its instruments, was depleted.