PACS (Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer)

PACS, or the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer, is an instrument used on space telescopes like Herschel to study the universe in infrared light. It detects faint heat signals from celestial objects, providing detailed images and spectra that reveal their composition, temperature, and structure. PACS helps scientists explore phenomena such as star formation, galaxy evolution, and the interstellar medium, allowing us to understand the universe's evolution in wavelengths invisible to the naked eye. Its advanced detectors and spectrometers facilitate precise observations, contributing significantly to astrophysics research.