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Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy in infrared light

Herschel and Spitzer See Nearby Galaxies' Stardust

The cold dust that builds blazing stars is revealed in new images that combine observations from the Herschel Space Observatory, a European Space ...

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Artist's concept illustrates an icy planet-forming disk around a young star

Herschel Finds Oceans of Water in Disk of Nearby Star

Using data from the Herschel Space Observatory, astronomers have detected for the first time cold water vapor enveloping a dusty disk around a young ...

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Artist concept. Image of comet Harley 2 at top right and image at bottom right is an artist's concept of a comet. Ocean view is on the left side.

Space Observatory Gives Clues to Creation of Oceans

Astronomers have found a new cosmic source for the same kind of water that appeared on Earth billions of years ago and created the oceans.

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Saturn's moon Enceladus

Saturn's Moon Enceladus Spreads its Influence

Chalk up one more feat for Saturn's intriguing moon Enceladus.

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Artist concept of a galaxy

Herschel Mission Finds Galactic Growth Slow and Steady

New findings from the Herschel Space Observatory paint a more tranquil picture of galaxy growth than previously thought.

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Mission Images

Oxygen in Orion

This graphic illustrates where astronomers at last found oxygen molecules in space -- near the star-forming core of the Orion nebula

This graphic illustrates where astronomers at last found oxygen molecules in space -- near the star-forming core of the Orion nebula. The molecules, whose presence had been hinted at in space before, ...

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Oxygen No Longer Lost in Space

The inset is an artist's concept of a collection of oxygen molecules. The image of the Orion nebula was taken in infrared light.

Astronomers have at last identified the distinct signatures of oxygen molecules in space, using observations made with the Herschel Space Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important ...

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Two Views of a Star's Exploded Remains

Two views of a star's exploded remains

This layout compares two pictures of a supernova remnant called SN 1987A -- the left image was taken by the Herschel Space ...

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Mission Overview

    Herschel is a European Space Agency mission with significant participation from NASA. NASA played a key role in the development of two of the mission's three instruments, and will make important contributions to data and science analyses.
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