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| Paper: |
Investigating Galaxy Evolution with FIR Observatories: Herschel and Beyond |
| Volume: |
446, Galaxy Evolution: Infrared to Millimeter Wavelength Perspective |
| Page: |
23 |
| Authors: |
Griffin, M. J.; Helmich, F. P.; Pilbratt, G. L.; Poglitsch, A. |
| Abstract: |
The far infrared and submillimetre spectral region is critical to
the characterisation of the obscured Universe, both locally and at
high redshift. The Herschel Space Observatory is the
fourth cornerstone mission in the European Space Agency (ESA)
science programme. Herschel is equipped with a passively
cooled 3.5-m diameter Cassegrain telescope and three scientific
instruments - HIFI, PACS and SPIRE - which together are carrying out
sensitive imaging and spectroscopy at wavelengths between 55 and 671
μm. This paper summarises the design and scientific
capabilities of Herschel and its instruments for studying
galaxy evolution over cosmic time, and reviews some of its early
results. For a comprehensive understanding of the formation of the
physics of the ISM in distant galaxies, and the relationship between
AGN and their host galaxies, future space-borne observations will be
needed with improved sensitivity and angular resolution in the far
infrared. SPICA will be the next step in this development, with a
great advance over Herschel in sensitivity and
spectroscopic power. In the longer term, a far infrared space
interferometer will allow us to study the high-redshift Universe
with the same capabilities that we currently have for the local
Universe. |
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