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Giant Herschel telescope assembled

23 September 2005

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The Herschel telescope’s primary mirror is being coated with a thin aluminium cover, which is the ‘working’ surface of the telescope, in the vacuum chamber by Calar Alto Observatory, Spain.

Credits: EADS Astrium/ P. Dumas

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The petals to form the Herschel primary mirrors are ready for brazing by Boostec facilities, France.

Credits: EADS Astrium/Boostec

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The primary and secondary mirrors of the Herschel telescope are being aligned at EADS Astrium facilities, Toulouse, France.

Credits: EADS Astrium/ P. Dumas

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The Herschel telescope is being assembled at EADS Astrium facilities in Toulouse, France.

Credits: EADS Astrium/ P. Dumas

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The transport of the giant Herschel primary mirror from Toulouse to Turku in Finland (where the telescope underwent polishing of its optical surface) had to be carried out using a Beluga aircraft borrowed from Airbus.

Credits: VESA Mörskv

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