1. *First Herschel Images Released!*
2. IPAC Visiting Graduate Student Fellowship Program 2009/10
3. PACS Point Spread Functions Available
4. More info? Contact us!
5. eNewsletter subscription information and archive

NOTE: If you are new to this email list, or would like to review the introductory material previously sent, please visit the NHSC eNewsletter Archive that can be easily found on our web pages. http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/Herschel/nhsc_enews1.shtml

The NASA Herschel Science Center is an important resource that has been established to directly support the US-based community in proposing and using the Herschel Space Observatory. The NHSC is here to help you get the very most out of this special scientific opportunity!

1. Herschel 'sneak previews' its science mission

Precisely one month into the Commissioning Phase and following the successful opening of the cryostat cover on 14 June 2009, exposing the focal plane to the sky, Herschel took its first test images. These are now available at:

http://herschel.esac.esa.int/SneakPreview.shtml

These very first images give just a glimpse of things to come, but they are certainly enough to conclude that the optical performance of Herschel is so far meeting expectations.

2. IPAC VISITING GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2009/10

IPAC announces the availability of four visiting graduate student fellowships this year starting in the fall of 2009. The program, which is in its third year, allows a graduate student from institutions outside of Caltech to work with an IPAC scientist for 6-months on a research project relating to IR or sub-mm astronomy. The deadline for applications is July 15 2009, for a fall start. Instructions about the application process and a list of possible projects can be found at: http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/apple/IVGRF.html

3. PACS Point Spread Functions Available

The PACS instrument team has generated a new set of PACS point spread functions (PSFs). These are now available in a library of monochromatic and filter-convolved PSFs that can be downloaded at the following location:

http://pacs.ster.kuleuven.be/pubtool/PSF/

A descriptive document, 'PACSPSF_PICC-ME-TN-029_v1.0.pdf', detailing both the generation and the format of the PSFs, is also available at the same location. Users of the PACS bolometer simulator are strongly urged to use these new PSFs when convolving their input skies.

4. MORE INFO? CONTACT US!

If you have a question about the Herschel Space Observatory or the NHSC in general, please register at the NHSC helpdesk, and open a ticket at:

http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/Herschel/helpdesk

or visit our website at:

http://www.ipac.caltech.edu/Herschel/

5. eNewsletter SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION AND ARCHIVE

All NHSC eNewletters and other information can be found on our webpages.

If you do not wish to receive further emails concerning Herschel send an email with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line or body of the message to:
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