There is more gas in the Galaxy than is dreamt of by astronomers 11 June 2013 A survey from Herschel has revealed that the reservoir of molecular gas in the Milky Way is hugely underestimated - almost by one third - when it is traced with traditional methods. The discovery not only indicates that there is more raw material for the formation of new stars in the Galaxy, but also that it extends farther than astronomers knew. Read more

Euclid to probe dark Universe with Astrium science module 11 June 2013 The module carrying the telescope and scientific instruments of ESA's Euclid 'dark Universe' mission is now being developed by Astrium in Toulouse, France. Read more

Rare merger illuminates origin of 'red and dead' galaxies 22 May 2013 Astronomers have found a rare encounter between two massive and gas-rich galaxies in a survey from Herschel. The event took place when the Universe was only about three billion years old and involved two galaxies forming stars with exceptional efficiency whilst in the process of merging. This galactic collision would go on to form a very massive elliptical galaxy with hardly any star formation activity. The discovery suggests a viable mechanism for the origin of the puzzling 'red and dead' galaxies that are seen in the young Universe. Read more

Most detailed observations ever of the Ring Nebula [heic1310] 23 May 2013 The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has produced the most detailed observations ever of the Ring Nebula (Messier 57). This image reveals intricate structure only hinted at in previous observations, and has allowed scientists to construct a model of the nebula in 3D - showing the true shape of this striking object. Read more

Herschel reveals the Milky Way's warm heart 07 May 2013 Observing the Galactic Centre with Herschel, astronomers have detected molecular gas at surprisingly high temperatures - up to 1000 K. The molecules are probably heated up by shocks as gas surges towards Sagittarius A*, the region harbouring the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. Read more

Announcement of Opportunity for photometry scientist in the Gaia Science Team 20 March 2013 The Director of Science and Robotic Exploration has released an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for membership in the science team of the Gaia mission. The AO is open to all scientists from institutions located in ESA Member States. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 30 April 2013. Read more

Call for White Papers for the definition of the L2 and L3 missions in the ESA Science Programme 05 March 2013 This Call, open to the broad scientific community, solicits White Papers to propose science themes and associated questions to be addressed by ESA's next two large (L-class) missions, L2 and L3. The submission deadline for White Papers is 24 May 2013, 12:00 CEST (noon). Read more

#11: Gaia Flight Model Mass Properties Testing 17 June 2013 The Gaia Spacecraft Flight Model has successfully completed its mass properties test campaign. Read more

#10: Gaia Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing 31 May 2013 The Gaia Spacecraft Flight Model has successfully completed the electromagnetic compatibility test campaigns at the facilities of Intespace in Toulouse, France. Read more

#09: Gaia Flight Model Payload Data Handling Unit Delivered and Integrated 23 May 2013 The Gaia Flight Model Payload Data Handling Unit has been delivered and integrated into the Gaia Service Module. Its arrival allowed extensive end-to-end testing of the spacecraft systems to be performed. Read more

#08: Gaia Flight Model Payload Module thermal testing completed 20 February 2013 Thermal testing of the Gaia flight model payload module was completed at Centre Spatial de Liège. The payload module was then returned to Astrium Toulouse for integration with the service module. Read more

Herschel Status Report - February 2013 27 March 2013 Report for period 5 to 27 February 2013
Mission operations of the Herschel space observatory continued nominally during the reporting period, with the spacecraft and subsystems all performing as expected. Read more

Herschel Status Report - December 2012 and January 2013 27 March 2013 Report for period 6 December 2012 to 4 February 2013
Mission operations of the Herschel space observatory continued nominally during the reporting period, with the spacecraft and subsystems all performing as expected. Read more