The Herschel Space Observatory: An International Astronomical Submillimeter Observatory

The submillimeter region includes the wavelengths of peak emission from dust and gas in interstellar clouds associated with young stars and the circumstellar environments of evolved stars.  The three instruments on the Herschel Space Observatory offer unprecedented sensitivity, spectral resolution, and coverage of the 60 μm to 600 μm wavelength range. Together with the angular resolution afforded by the 3.5 m telescope, they have enabled a wide range of new results that are changing our general view of galaxies and their content.  This talk will highlight some of the key capabilities of the observatory and the new discoveries these capabilities have enabled.  In addition, the talk will describe the cooperative international effort that has broadened participation in Herschel across the globe.