posted by Bellatrix Orionis on Jul 10
ESA has reported that Herschel has now carried out it’s first test observations with all it’s instruments. Galaxies, star forming regions and dying stars were the telescope’s targets. On it’s first attempt Herschel’s instruments found water and carbon as well as dozens of distant galaxies.
The results obtained so far show that Herschel’s instruments are working beyond expectations and as such promise untold delights for astronomers.
So far SPIRE (Spectral and Hotometric Imaging Receiver) has imaged 2 galaxies M66 and M74 at a wavelength of 250 microns, which is longer than any previous infrared space observatory, but still theshortest SPIRE wavelength.
To find out more about Herschel’s instruments and the images taken so far go to Herschel.
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