The first results from the Herschel-HIFI mission |
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Authors: | Floris van der Tak |
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Institution: | SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Landleven 12, 9747 AD Groningen, The Netherlands; Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | This paper contains a summary of the results from the first years of observations with the HIFI instrument onboard ESA’s Herschel space observatory. The paper starts by outlining the goals and possibilities of far-infrared and submillimeter astronomy, the limitations of the Earth’s atmosphere, and the scientific scope of the Herschel-HIFI mission. The presentation of science results from the mission follows the life cycle of gas in galaxies as grouped into five themes: Structure of the interstellar medium, First steps in interstellar chemistry, Formation of stars and planets, Solar system results and Evolved stellar envelopes. The HIFI observations paint a picture where the interstellar medium in galaxies has a mixed, rather than a layered structure; the same conclusion may hold for protoplanetary disks. In addition, the HIFI data show that exchange of matter between comets and asteroids with planets and moons plays a large role. The paper concludes with an outlook to future instrumentation in the far-infrared and submillimeter wavelength ranges. |
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Keywords: | ISM: structure &ndash astrochemistry &ndash stars: formation &ndash planets Satellites and comets &ndash stars: AGB and post-AGB &ndash submillimeter observations |
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