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60.6 MB (885.4 KB compressed)
3253 x 6508 pixels
27.4 x 55.1 cm ⏐ 10.8 x 21.7 in (300dpi)
DAVID DUCROS, ESA / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY DAVID DUCROS, ESA / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Planck and Herschel rocket, cutaway artwork. These two missions were launched into space on 14 May 2009 by this Ariane 5 rocket. The spacecraft are in the fairing on top of the rocket's second stage, which was launched by the main stage and booster rockets. After the second stage fired to reach orbit, the fairing opened and Herschel (top) then Planck (bottom) separated and travelled away from Earth to carry out their missions. Herschel collects infrared radiation from some of the coolest and most distant objects in the Universe. Planck studies the Cosmic Microwave Background, the radiation left over from the Big Bang.
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