The death throes of the biggest star known to science have been observed by Europe's new space telescope, Herschel.
The observatory, launched in May, has subjected VY Canis Majoris, to a detailed spectroscopic analysis.Its end days see it spew vast quantities of gas and dust into interstellar space, including elements such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen - the raw materials that will go into the production of future planets, and, who knows, perhaps life elsewhere in the galaxy.
Its 3.5m diameter mirror is the largest ever flown in space.
Herschel can probe clouds of gas and dust to see stars being born.
It will investigate how galaxies have evolved through time.
The mission will end when its helium refrigerant boils off.
The Herschel observatory was sent into orbit on 14 May on an Ariane rocket. It has been positioned far from Earth to give it an unobstructed view of deep space. The observatory works at longer wavelengths - in the far-infrared and sub-millimetre range.
However, its third instrument is currently down after experiencing a fault.
Engineers are expected to upload the software next month needed to reactivate the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HiFi).
The data on Comet Garradd shows up a strong water signal as is expected from an object composed of ice and dust.
"Everything we have done so far, we've done extremely well," said Dr Göran Pilbratt, Herschel's project scientist.
"We have not been able to do everything we wanted because of HiFi, of course; but what we have released today and put on the [Esa website] for instance, you can judge for yourself. I think it is very impressive."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-social_behaviour
asocial – 1.not social 2.not sociable 3.antisocial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosocial_behavior
The Herschel observatory was sent into orbit on 14 May on an Ariane rocket. It has been positioned far from Earth to give it an unobstructed view of deep space. The observatory works at longer wavelengths - in the far-infrared and sub-millimetre range.
However, its third instrument is currently down after experiencing a fault.
Engineers are expected to upload the software next month needed to reactivate the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HiFi).
The data on Comet Garradd shows up a strong water signal as is expected from an object composed of ice and dust.
"Everything we have done so far, we've done extremely well," said Dr Göran Pilbratt, Herschel's project scientist.
"We have not been able to do everything we wanted because of HiFi, of course; but what we have released today and put on the [Esa website] for instance, you can judge for yourself. I think it is very impressive."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitement
Etymology: Middle French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- + citare to put in motion — more at cite
Date: 15th century
: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
synonyms incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action. incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating <inciting a riot>. instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention <instigated a conspiracy>. abet implies both assisting and encouraging abetting the enemy> . foment implies persistence in goading <fomenting rebellion>.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-social_behaviour
asocial – 1.not social 2.not sociable 3.antisocial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosocial_behavior
