Bringing the Universe to Earth

Since its launch 6 weeks ago, the Planck spacecraft system have been steadily cooling the instruments down to a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. These ultra cool temperatures are essential for the precise measurements Planck will make of the cosmic microwave background. Temperatures on the sorbtion coolers on the HFI instrument are nominal at approximately 17.5 Kelvin (or -255.5 °C).

The new ESA Herschel mission recently opened its eyes to the infrared universe. The spacecraft is still en route to its final operational orbit, but while traveling to L2 scientists are taking the opportunity to checkout and calibrate the payload to maximise the potential for dedicated observations.