Herschel observes the infrared sky (ESA)

ESA multimedia gallery

Animation #1: Herschel observes the infrared sky

ESA’s Herschel infrared observatory will have an unprecedented view of the cold universe, bridging the gap between what can be observed from ground and earlier space missions of its kind. Infrared radiation can penetrate the clouds of gas and dust that hide astronomical objects from optical telescopes, looking deep into star-forming regions, galactic centres and planetary systems. Also cooler objects, such as tiny stars and molecular clouds, and even galaxies enshrouded in dust, which barely emit optical light, become visible in the infrared. The Orion Nebula is shown at the end of this animation.

Credits:
ESA (animation by C. Carreau); Orion nebula images: Hubble Space Telescope: NASA/ESA/STScI and NASA Spitzer


Animation #2: Herschel science - sequence three

A virtual trip inside our Galaxy, the Milky Way, into clouds of dust and gas from which new stars and planetary systems form, until their lives end. Herschel will be the best space observatory yet to study the still unknown early stages of star and planet formation, and will provide unprecedented insight into stellar evolution through our galactic history.

Credits:
ESA (animation by Silicon Worlds)