Herschel telescope mirror

This picture, taken on 16 April 2008 at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, The Netherlands, shows the mirror of the Herschel telescope with its protective cover, ready to be lifted for installation on to the cryostat.

Herschel’s huge telescope will allow scientists to look deep into space by collecting long-wavelength infrared light. Some of the infrared wavelengths covered by Herschel will be made available for space-based observations for the first time.