Herschel Planck Mission

Herschel opened its 'eyes' on 14 June and the Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer obtained images of M51, 'the whirlpool galaxy' for a first test observation. Scientists obtained images in three colours which clearly demonstrate the superiority of Herschel, the largest infrared space telescope ever flown.

Three-colour far-infrared image of M51, the 'whirlpool galaxy'. Red, green and blue correspond to the 160-micron, 100-micron and 70-micron wavelength bands of the Herschel's Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer, PACS. Glowing light from clouds of dust and gas around and between the stars is visible clearly. These clouds are a reservoir of raw material for ongoing star formation in this galaxy. Blue indicates regions of warm dust that is heated by young stars, while the colder dust shows up in red. Credits: ESA and the PACS Consortium

This image shows the famous 'whirlpool galaxy', first observed by Charles Messier in 1773, who provided the designation Messier 51 (M51). This spiral galaxy lies relatively nearby, about 35 million light-years away, in the constellation Canes Venatici. M51 was the first galaxy discovered to harbour a spiral structure.

The image is a composite of three observations taken at 70, 100 and 160 microns, taken by Herschel's Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) on 14 and 15 June, immediately after the satellite's cryocover was opened on 14 June.

Herschel, launched only a month ago, is still being commissioned and the first images from its instruments were planned to arrive only in a few weeks. But engineers and scientists were challenged to try to plan and execute daring test observations as part of a 'sneak preview' immediately after the cryocover was opened. The objective was to produce a very early image that gives a glimpse of things to come.

To the left is the best image of M51, taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, with the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS), juxtaposed with the Herschel observation on 14 and 15 June at 160 microns. The obvious advantage of the larger size of the telescope is clearly reflected in the much higher resolution of the image: Herschel reveals structures that cannot be discerned in the Spitzer image.

Herschel's glimpse of M51 at 70, 100, 160 microns.

These images clearly demonstrate that the shorter the wavelength, the sharper the image — this is a very important message about the quality of Herschel's optics, since PACS observes at Herschel's shortest wavelengths.

Produced from the very first test observation, these images lead scientists to conclude that the optical performance of Herschel and its large telescope is so far meeting their high expectations.

Background to the Mission: Kourou, May 14, 2009

On Thursday, May 14, Arianespace's second mission of the year successfully launched two scientific satellites for the European Space Agency (ESA): the Herschel space telescope and the Planck scientific observatory.

44th Ariane 5 launch, 30th success in a row

The two satellites are being launched towards the L2 Lagrange point, once again demonstrating the operational capabilities of Ariane 5. This is the only launch vehicle on the commercial market today capable of launching two payloads simultaneously and handling a complete array of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit, to scientific missions into special orbits.

Herschel/Planck mission at a glance

The mission was carried out by an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:12 am local time in Kourou (13:12 UT, 3:12 pm in Paris, 9:12 am in Washington, D.C. and 5:12 pm in Moscow).

Once injected into transfer orbit, the two satellites will independently move to their operational orbits around the L2 Lagrange point in the Earth-Sun system, at 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, on the side away from the Sun.

Herschel and Planck scientific satellites

Herschel space telescope: a follow-on to the ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) program, the Herschel space telescope has two main objectives: observation of the 'cold' Universe, in particular the formation of stars and galaxies; and studying the chemical composition of atmospheres around celestial bodies and the molecular chemistry of the Universe. Herschel's mirror, at 3.5 meters in diameter, is the largest ever deployed in space. The spacecraft weighed 3, 402 kg at launch.

Planck scientific satellite: the Planck scientific observatory is designed to analyze the remnants of the radiation that filled the Universe immediately after the Big Bang, which we observe today as the cosmic microwave background, offering unprecedented sensitivity and resolution. Planck will provide vital information concerning the creation of the Universe and the origins of the cosmic structure. It weighed 1, 921 kg at launch.

Both Herschel and Planck were built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor.

Herschel and Planck Mission News

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More Information

Herschel Mission (ESA) - European Space Agency home page for the Herschel mission. Herschel Mission (JPL) - Jet Propulsion Laboratory home page for the Herschel mission. Planck Mission (ESA) - European Space Agency home page for the planck mission. Planck Mission (ESA) - Caltech's home page for the Planck Mission. MPAC - MPA Planck Analysis Centre - A hub page leading to other institutions than have connections with the Planck Mission.