Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver

Observations using SPIRE will greatly enhance our understanding of the processes of galaxy and star formation. For most galaxies, from one-third to nearly all of the radiation they emit occurs at far-infrared wavelengths. The situation is similar for stars that are just beginning their lives. Ultraviolet radiation emitted by stars is often absorbed by huge clouds of dust grains that surround them. The heated dust then cools by radiating at infrared wavelengths. To understand all the processes occurring in a galaxy, it is essential to measure the total energy emitted at all wavelengths. 

The infrared part of the spectrum accounts for the greatest proportion of the total flux ("light") from stars and galaxies, so observations with SPIRE will provide much needed information for a complete study of these objects. SPIRE will make large scale surveys of the sky at high angular resolution, and will also measure the flux in several wavelength bands, giving much needed information on the Spectral Energy Distribution of stars and galaxies. As a result, scientists will have a much better understanding of the global characteristics of galaxies and stars, answering long standing questions on how galaxies and stars formed.

Canada will provide ground support equipment for the calibration of the SPIRE instrument. In addition to participation in the system integration and testing, Canadian scientists will also participate in the SPIRE Instrument Control Centre.

The Principal Investigator for SPIRE in Canada is Professor David Naylor at the University of Lethbridge Professor Gary Davis of the University of Saskatchewan was the Principal Investigator in Canada until July 2002. For more information on SPIRE visit the Herschel-SPIRE website at the University of Lethbridge.