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The Rosette molecular cloud, seen by Herschel

The media day will concentrate on the unprecedented study of star formation that Herschel is making in our Galaxy and across the Universe. Until now, the initial stages of star birth have largely been shrouded in darkness, obscured by the thick clouds of dust and gas that incubate the youngest stars. Herschel sees through these clouds, revealing the dark side of star formation in unique detail. To highlight these results, new images from across the Universe will be released on the day.

By revealing these formation events, Herschel is showing us what might have happened in our own part of space almost 5 billion years ago, when the Sun, Earth and the other planets of our Solar System began to form.

Herschel was launched on 14 May 2009 and began viewing the sky a month later. Initial observations from the demonstration phase were presented at a workshop on 17-18 December 2009. Then the main scientific observations began.

Also known as ESLAB 2010, The Herschel First Results Symposium is the first major scientific meeting to present Herschel’s results. It will run 4-7 May in the ESTEC Conference Centre. More details of the ESLAB Symposium can be found here [http://www.congrex.nl/10A10/].

Media representatives wishing to attend the event are requested to fill in the accreditation form (right hand navigation bar) and return it to the ESTEC Communication Office by 3 May.  
 

Programme

11:30	Doors open
12:00	Welcome David Southwood, ESA Director of Science and Robotic Exploration
12:10	Herschel: Dark Side of Star Formation Annie Zavagno, Laboratoire d’Astrophysique, Marseille
12:20	Herschel: Fourth 'Phase' of Water Xander Tielens, Leiden University
12:30	Herschel: Surprising Star Formation in the Nearby Universe Steve Eales, University of Cardiff
12:40	Questions & Answers Opportunity for individual interviews Buffet lunch
13:40	End of programme