Herschel

Astrochemistry is the study of the chemical processes taking place in space, and some recent ESA missions have made it become a really hot research field today. New missions such as Herschel are expected to contribute many discoveries, especially regarding the composition of organic molecules such as those needed for life as we know it.

A collection of intriguing images based on data from ESA’s Herschel and Planck space telescopes show the influence of magnetic fields on the clouds of gas and dust where stars are forming.

By combining observations of the distant Universe made with ESA’s Herschel and Planck space observatories, cosmologists have discovered what could be the precursors of the vast clusters of galaxies that we see today.

A rare phenomenon connected to the death of a star has been discovered in observations made by ESA’s Herschel space observatory: an unusual laser emission from the spectacular Ant Nebula, which suggests the presence of a double star system hidden at its heart.

ESA science missions

The Orion A molecular cloud viewed by Herschel and Planck

Ariane 5 launchers with science missions onboard

Multi-wavelength view of a supernova remnant

Achievements during 2010

Hubble contribution to astronomy and the forthcoming missions