The first images from the Herschel Space Observatory have demonstrated the high resolution that will be obtained. Herschel was launched on 14 May, and is currently nearing the end of its commissioning phase.

The images shown below, of the M74 spiral galaxy, show the first test astronomical observations of Herschel’s Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) instrument. The galactic nucleus and spiral arms show up clearly. These images have given astronomers an exciting glimpse of some of the most important scientific studies planned with Herschel: to look at star formation up close in our own galaxy and in nearby galaxies, and to search for star-forming galaxies in the very distant Universe.

Tessella was a key member of the team that designed the Attitude Control and Measurement Subsystem for Herschel and Planck. In particular, Tessella was responsible for design and analysis of the attitude controller for Herschel’s observation mode, which allows Herschel to point accurately at the target of interest, allowing it to obtain the high resolution shown here.

“SPIRE images of M74 – (c) ESA and the SPIRE Consortium”

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