Planck and Herschel

Exclusive Interviews

The Planck and Herschel spacecraft are scheduled to launch onboard the same Ariane 5 rocket on 16 April. To accompany a six page review featured in this month's issue of Astronomy Now on the science and logistics behind these two impressive missions, we get the lowdown from the scientists that have helped to plan, build and organise the mission, as well as those who will be processing the data as the results begin to flood in.

David Southwood (Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency) talks to Emily Baldwin about the Planck and Herschel missions at the IYA opening ceromony in Paris, January 2009.

Robert Wilson (co-recipient of the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physics) talks to Keith Cooper and Emily Baldwin on his discovery, and his hopes for the Planck mission.

Bill Reach of NASA's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, talks to Keith Cooper on his role in processing Planck data for the Early Release Compact Source Catalogue.

Goran Pilbratt, Herschel Project Scientist, talks to Emily Baldwin about the logistics and goals of the Herschel Space Observatory.

Emily Baldwin talks to three research groups about their proposals for Herschel observing time projects:

Bill Dent on gas in protoplanetary systems

Thomas Mueller on the survey of the Transneptunian region

Suzane Madden and Maud Galametz on the interstellar medium and dwarf galaxies

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Hubble Reborn
Hubble Reborn takes the reader on a journey through the Universe with spectacular full-colour pictures of galaxies, nebulae, planets and stars as seen through Hubble's eyes, along the way telling the dramatic story of the space telescope, including interviews with key scientists and astronauts.
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3D Universe
Witness the most awesome sights of the Universe as they were meant to be seen in this 100-page extravaganza of planets, galaxies and star-scapes, all in 3D!
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This special publication features the photography of British astro-imager Nik Szymanek and covers a range of photographic methods from basic to advanced. Beautiful pictures of the night sky can be obtained with a simple camera and tripod before tackling more difficult projects, such as guided astrophotography through the telescope and CCD imaging.
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Explore the Universe with these new versions of the award-winning Starry Night Software. Available now from the Astronomy Now Store.
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Astronomy Now is pleased to announce the publication of Exploring Mars. The very best images of Mars taken by orbiting spacecraft and NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers fill up the 98 glossy pages of this special edition!
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This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
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