The task is to study the formation of stars and galaxies and their development and changes in the universe. On June 14, the ground mission control center issued an order to "Herschel" to open the hatch to protect sensitive instruments from pollution, so the world's largest far-infrared space telescope "opened its eyes". "Herschel" telescope detected this spiral galaxy (also known as M5 1) by photoelectric array and spectrometer (PACS). Herschel is 4 meters wide and 7.5 meters high. It is the largest far-infrared telescope ever launched by human beings. The mirror diameter of the Herschel telescope is larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope of NASA, and it is extremely sensitive to long-wavelength light, that is, far infrared light and light with a diameter less than1mm. Photoelectric arrays and spectrometers can cover shorter spectra, while imaging spectra and photometers are used to capture longer spectra. After the hatch is opened, the photoelectric array and spectrometer can detect the universe immediately, while the imaging spectrometer and photometer didn't start their first observation until June 20 13 16, and their detection targets may include celestial bodies in the solar system and distant targets.
In addition to a pair of "eyes", the Herschel telescope also carries about 2000 liters of superfluid helium, which can cool the telescope and make the internal working temperature of the telescope close to absolute zero (-273.6438+05 degrees Celsius), thus minimizing the radiation of the instrument itself and achieving the best observation effect. Compared with the sun, the surface temperature of other stars in the universe is relatively low, so although they release energy in the infrared band, it is difficult to be detected by space telescopes. "Herschel" can detect more cosmic stars in the far infrared range with cutting-edge instruments, including stars inside and outside the Milky Way. In addition, it can also observe the dust and gas in the universe, explore the formation of stars outside the Milky Way and discover the mystery of the formation of the universe. Open a "complete window" for stargazing.
Most cosmic stars release energy in the infrared band and present black matter in the visible spectrum. Before Herschel was put into operation, the related infrared observations of the universe were incomplete. Experts from the European Space Agency believe that Herschel, together with Planck, will open a new chapter in the astronomical survey of infrared spectrum.
Telescopes on the ground cannot effectively observe cosmic objects through infrared rays, because most of the infrared rays are blocked by water mist in the earth's atmosphere. Other space telescopes can only observe the specific infrared band range, and can only show the space scene through the "fuzzy window". Through infrared spectrum, "Herschel" provides a "transparent window" for extensive observation of the universe, and will be able to better detect invisible substances in the universe.
This trip to space to find "three treasures": water, oxygen and little stars.
In the solar system, "Herschel" will detect asteroids, the Kuiper Belt and comets, which are probably the remnants of the formation of the early solar system, and may contain traces of primitive substances such as water at the beginning of the formation of the planets of the solar system, including the earth. An important detection goal of Herschel is to find out whether there is water in these stars. At the same time, astronomers also hope to discover another molecule known to mankind-oxygen through Herschel. Astronomers speculate that there is a lot of oxygen in the interstellar medium, but so far no observation instrument has detected the existence of oxygen in the interstellar medium.
"Herschel" will also study the star formation areas in the Milky Way, and then explore the early formation process of stars and how young stars are formed in the Milky Way for the first time. Usually, the baby star is wrapped in a "uterus" composed of cold air and dust, so it cannot be observed, but "Herschel" can be observed through the dust cloud. The light collected by the telescope's 3.5-meter-diameter mirror flooded into its ultra-low temperature instrument cabin or cryostat for the first time. The mission of Herschel is to study the formation of stars and galaxies and their development and changes in the universe. The order of June 2009 14 requires Herschel to open two bolts of the hatch, which is undoubtedly a milestone of this mission.
Professor Matt Griffin, chief scientist of SPIRE, said: "We need to open the lid, otherwise we can't see the sky, so this is really an important event." SPIRE is one of three sets of instruments placed in a cryostat.
Paris Air Show is an important event to show the development of European aerospace industry. At that time, the European Space Agency and the European space industry will jointly celebrate their achievements. "Herschel" mission display is a major feature of the European Space Agency booth. Paris Air Show was held in Bourget Exhibition Center, which lasted from June 65438+May to June 19. After the trading period, the public can visit. Scientists claim that they will soon release the "Dawn" photos taken by the Herschel telescope. As of 20 13 and 1, the Herschel telescope is still in the testing period, and it will take some time for it to be fully put into operation.
"Herschel" is regarded as the "flagship" space telescope of the European Space Agency, and astronomers and the public must wait patiently to fully demonstrate its capabilities. The mirror diameter of the Herschel telescope is larger than that of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, and it is extremely sensitive to long-wavelength light, that is, far infrared rays and light with a diameter less than1mm. In this way, it can penetrate and disperse dust with visible wavelength, and explore truly ultra-low temperature spaces and objects in the universe, from emerging new nebulae to distant icy comets in the solar system.
For observatories that observe these phenomena, it also requires them to work in an ultra-low temperature environment. Scientists use superfluid helium to make the temperature of their instruments close to "absolute zero", that is, MINUS 273 degrees Celsius. They made this in a big box that was evacuated. These instruments are locked at the top of the cryostat to keep them extremely low temperature and protect them from pollution. It is considered safe to open the hatch after about one month's mission.
Griffin explained: "Any object launched into space will have some water vapor and other pollutants-volatile gases. In space, water vapor and these volatiles will slowly evaporate in boundless space. It is necessary to wait for this to happen and ensure that these pollutants will not survive in the cryostat. In a cryostat, they may condense on the top of the instrument. " Professor Griffin teaches at Cardiff University in England.
The "Herschel" telescope is heading for the observation position of 0/0.5 million kilometers away from the Earth, and now it has completed more than 90% of the journey. In fact, its distance from the earth is ideal now, and the ground command can reach the "Herschel" telescope in less than 5 seconds. According to the phenomenon that the temperature of "Herschel" is slightly rising and shaking detected by the controller, it shows that the hatch has been successfully opened.