Herschel Space Observatory

E89249

The Herschel Space Observatory was a European Space Agency space telescope that studied the universe in far-infrared and submillimetre wavelengths, revealing cold and dusty regions such as star-forming clouds and distant galaxies.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Herschel 1

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf European Space Agency mission
space observatory
space telescope
agency European Space Agency
bandCoverage 55–672 micrometres
catalogCode Herschel Space Observatory self-linksurface differs
surface form: Herschel
collaboration Canadian Space Agency
NASA
coolingMethod superfluid helium cryostat
country European Space Agency member states
cryogen liquid helium
deactivationDate 2013-06-17
launchDate 2009-05-14
launchLocation Kourou
surface form: Kourou, French Guiana
launchSite Guiana Space Centre
launchVehicle Ariane 5 ECA
surface form: Ariane 5ECA
location Sun–Earth L2
massAtLaunch approximately 3400 kilograms
mirrorDiameter 3.5 metres
missionDuration approximately 4 years
missionEnd 2013-04-29
missionGoal characterize interstellar dust and gas
investigate star formation
study chemistry of the universe
study galaxy evolution
namedAfter William Herschel
notableResult detailed maps of cold molecular clouds
measurements of star-formation rates in distant galaxies
observations of water in protoplanetary disks
operator European Space Agency
orbit Lissajous orbit around Sun–Earth L2 point
partOfProgram ESA Horizon 2000 programme
surface form: ESA Horizon 2000 science program
predecessor Infrared Space Observatory
primaryMirrorMaterial silicon carbide
primaryMission study of cold and dusty regions of the universe
scientificInstruments HIFI
PACS
SPIRE
spacecraftBus custom ESA design
status mission completed
studies distant galaxies
interstellar medium
protoplanetary disks
protostars
star-forming molecular clouds
successor James Webb Space Telescope
surface form: James Webb Space Telescope (partially, in infrared coverage)
telescopeType Cassegrain telescope
wavelengthRange far-infrared
submillimetre

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Herschel Space Observatory catalogCode Herschel Space Observatory self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: Herschel
European Space Agency mission Herschel Space Observatory
Sun–Earth L2 usedBy Herschel Space Observatory