The Herschel Space Observatory, launched into space in 2009, carries the largest, most powerful infrared telescope ever flown in space. It is helping scientists understand how the universe came to be the way it is today by revealing new information about the earliest, most distant stars and galaxies, as well as objects in our solar system.

The Herschel Space Observatory was named after William and Caroline Herschel, 18th-century pioneers of the systematic classification and investigation of the heavens. William Herschel was one of the first professional astronomers and discovered infrared radiation. His sister Caroline Herschel helped him to develop the modern mathematical approach to astronomy.

The space observatory's 11.5-foot telescope is giving scientists their most complete look so far at the dusty and cold regions of the universe that radiates in far-infrared and submillimeter wavelengths.

Earthbound telescopes are largely unable to observe this portion of the spectrum because most of this light is absorbed by moisture in the atmosphere before it can reach the ground.

The far-infrared and submillimeter wavelengths at which Herschel observes are considerably longer than the familiar rainbow of colors that the human eye can perceive. Yet, this is a critically important portion of the spectrum to scientists because it is the frequency range at which a large part of the universe radiates.

Much of the universe consists of gas and dust that is far too cold to radiate in visible light or at shorter wavelengths such as X-rays. However, they do radiate at far-infrared and submillimeter wavelengths.

The Herschel Space Observatory recently has revealed how much dark matter it takes to form a new galaxy bursting with stars. The findings are a key step in understanding how dark matter, an invisible substance permeating our universe, contributed to the birth of massive galaxies in the early universe.

Herschel is a European Space Agency mission supported by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

First Published: August 4, 2011, 4:00 a.m.