[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Chriswilson.jpg” caption=”Scientists from all over the globe, including McMaster’s Christine Wilson, professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, developed the Herschel Space Observatory to determine how stars and galaxies are formed.”]Size matters – especially when it comes to telescopes.

That's why the European Space Agency's (ESA) new Herschel Space Observatory (HSO), which boasts the largest one-piece mirror in space, is such a big deal; the bigger the mirror the sharper the images it takes, meaning much more precise data.

Launched on May 14, 2009, scientists from all over the globe, including McMaster's Christine Wilson, professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, began working with the HSO to determine how stars and galaxies are formed. With promises of answering some of astronomy's oldest questions, the star-bound observatory is creating a lot of excitement here on Earth.

“Herschel is an international project and there is a lot of excitement within the international astronomical community as well as the general public,” said Wilson, who is the principal researcher of one of the Herschel research projects. “This is a great opportunity for McMaster to lead space research.”

Wilson's project, entitled Physical Processes in the Interstellar Medium of Very Nearby Galaxies, examines 13 galaxies that span all possible types and properties within the universe. Her team, comprised of experts from over seven countries, hopes to build on our scientific understanding of how the heavens formed.

Even though data exists regarding star and galaxy formation, Wilson believes the theories currently in use are limited. Her team will benefit from Herschel's sharper images.

“With older technology you can see some images, but it's hard to get the entire picture,” Wilson explained. “We can get better resolution with the HSO and gain insight to understand other, more distant galaxies. When you look at the contrast between Herschel and previous telescopes…it's really very striking.”

Striking as the images may be, the HSO only has an estimated four years to produce images before it essentially runs out of fuel. As a result, Herschel's most important projects, including Wilson's, are already underway.

Though her research won't answer all of our questions about galaxies, it will certainly be a good start and HSO will produce some great photos along the way.

For more information on the mission, and to view some of Herschel's first images, please visit the ESA website here.