The aim of this proposal is to study how the interstellar medium (ISM) changes due to the process of star formation. To do this we intend to perform a spectral survey with PACS and HIFI, scanning along gradients of increasing temperature, density and star formation activity e.g. from the edge of a star forming region to its centre, making sure to include regions of different levels of star formation activity and different clump/core density.
In this way we will be able to directly relate the changes in the ISM to star formation activity. This proposal is complementary to a GT1 proposal ongoing on the same regions with the SPIRE FTS.
Herschel was launched on 14 May 2009! It is the fourth 'cornerstone' mission in the ESA science programme. With a 3.5 m Cassegrain telescope it is the largest space telescope ever launched. It is performing photometry and spectroscopy in approximately the 55-671 µm range, bridging the gap between earlier infrared space missions and groundbased facilities.
