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Herschel Space Telescope Opens For the First Time

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the hey-big-guy-open-your-eyes dept.

davecl writes "The Herschel space telescope, the largest ever launched into space, has opened its instrument cover, allowing its three instruments to observe for the first time. BBC news has the main coverage, while there is more coverage on the SPIRE instrument team website, and on the mission blog. I'm part of the SPIRE instrument team and the excitement as we move towards our first observations is building fast. The PACS and SPIRE instruments will see first light in the next few days."

1 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. space telescope by spidercoz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In an effort to contribute something to the thread that isn't irrelevant, stupid, or hateful assholery, this is very cool. I'm looking forward to its first images. Maybe it'll be sensitive enough to image extrasolar planets.

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    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Evelyn Beatrice Hall, re Voltaire