Abstract

  The Herschel Space Observatory was launched by the European Space Agency in May  2009 and operated until April 2013. It worked at far infrared and submillimetre wavelengths,  carrying out sensitive photometry and spectroscopy between 55 and 670 microns. Its main scientific goals were to investigate the ISM and star formation in our own galaxy today and the formation and  evolution of galaxies throughout cosmic time. I will describe the Herschel spacecraft and its instruments,  and show a few of its many scientific highlights. 

  Matt Griffin got his PhD in Astrophysics at Queen Mary College London in 1985. He is now the  head of School and Director of Research in the Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy.  His main research fields include far infrared and submillimetre astronomy and instrumentation,  especially developing instruments for both ground-based and satellite-borne observatories. He  is the Principal Investigator for the Herschel-SPIRE instrument. 

  Awards and recognition: Royal Astronomical Society SCUBA team award (2009), Arthur C Clarke  Individual Achievement Award, UK Space Conference (2010), French Association for Aeronautics and Astronautics Grand Prix award to Herschel/Planck Team (2010), Royal Astronomical Society  Jackson-Gwilt medal (2011).