HIFI (Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared)

HIFI, or the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared, is a highly sensitive scientific device used in space telescopes to observe distant cosmic objects emitting far-infrared light. It works by mixing incoming signals from space with a stable reference signal, creating a new signal at a different, more manageable frequency. This process, called heterodyning, allows precise measurement of the original light’s properties, revealing details about cold dust, gas, and molecules in space. HIFI helps astronomers study phenomena like star formation, chemical composition, and the physical conditions of the universe in the far-infrared spectrum.