By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 21:06 EST, 29 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:08 EST, 29 April 2013 . Europe's billion-euro Herschel observatory has stopped working, ending three years of observation of the cool Universe, it was announced yesterday. Instruments on The European Space Agency's (ESA) flagship observatory have warmed to levels that mean it is now 'blind'. The demise of Herschel was expected by astronomers as stores of liquid helium that are vital to keeping the temperature close to absolute zero have finally been exhausted. The Herschel space observatory, pictured over a background image of Vela C star-forming region, has stopped working after three years observing the coolest regions of the Universe . Herschel took thousands of images, including this magnificent picture of the Andromeda galaxy . After 35,000 scientific observations, ESA staff say Herschel has left behind a 'treasure trove of data'. The pioneering observatory was launched in May, 2009, and studied . the origin and evolution of stars and galaxies in a mission to discover . how the Universe came to be. At the time of its launch, Herschel . held 2,300 litres of liquid helium but that has slowly been evaporating . over the past three years. Astronomers confirmed it had . finally run out at the start of the spacecraft's daily . communication with the ground station in Western Australia. The timing of its demise was accurately predicted by experts. Professor Alvaro Giménez Cañete, . ESA’s director of Science and Robotic Exploration, said: 'Herschel has . exceeded all expectations, providing us with an incredible treasure . trove of data that that will keep astronomers busy for many years to . come.' The Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy in infrared light seen by the Herschel Space Observatory . An infrared image of the Orion nebula highlighting fledgling stars hidden in gas and clouds . The space observatory amassed more than 25,000 hours of data from 600 observing programmes. The telescope was launched from French Guiana in May, 2009. Weighs 3.3 tonnes and its lifespan was 11 months longer than originally predicted. Its primary mirror is one and a half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Made 35,000 scientific observations and amassed more than 25,000 hours of data. The space observatory will be sent into permanent orbit around the Sun. Herschel is named after Sir William Herschel, the discoverer of the infrared spectrum and planet Uranus, and his sister and collaborator Caroline Herschel. Herschel carried the largest and most powerful infrared telescope ever flown in space and its  primary mirror was 3.5metres in diameter - one and a half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Its telescope captured thousands of . images of star-forming regions and was able to shine through obstacles . that block visible light. Göran Pilbratt, ESA’s Herschel . Project scientist, said the telescope had given new insight into the . secret workings of the Universe. He said: 'Herschel has offered us a new view of the hitherto . hidden Universe, pointing us to a previously unseen process of star . birth and galaxy formation, and allowing us to trace water through the . Universe from molecular clouds to newborn stars and their planet-forming . discs and belts of comets.' Thomas Passvogel, ESA’s Herschel . Programme manager, added: 'Herschel’s ground-breaking scientific haul is . in no little part down to the excellent work done by European industry, . institutions and academia in developing, building and operating the . observatory and its instruments.' In a demonstration of Herschel's . work, the ESA released images taken of the Andromeda galaxy showing cool . lanes of forming stars in the finest detail yet. The unparalleled power of its . infrared telescope meant it could capture infrared light from some of . the coolest areas of the Universe, allowing astronomers a glimpse of . these regions for the first time. The satellite, which is currently . 1.5million km from Earth, will be propelled into an orbit of the Sun, . where it will remain indefinitely. The billion-euro observatory will now be sent into orbit around the Sun, where it will remain indefinitely .
European Space Agency announced observatory stopped working .
Timing of its demise predicted when Herschel was launched in 2009 .
Astronomers say Herschel left them with 'treasure trove of data'
Carried out 35,000 scientific observations and amassed 25,000 hours of data .
Will now be sent into indefinite orbit around the Sun .
By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 21:06 EST, 29 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:08 EST, 29 April 2013 . Europe's billion-euro Herschel observatory has stopped working, ending three years of observation of the cool Universe, it was announced yesterday. Instruments on The European Space Agency's (ESA) flagship observatory have warmed to levels that mean it is now 'blind'. The demise of Herschel was expected by astronomers as stores of liquid helium that are vital to keeping the temperature close to absolute zero have finally been exhausted. The Herschel space observatory, pictured over a background image of Vela C star-forming region, has stopped working after three years observing the coolest regions of the Universe . Herschel took thousands of images, including this magnificent picture of the Andromeda galaxy . After 35,000 scientific observations, ESA staff say Herschel has left behind a 'treasure trove of data'. The pioneering observatory was launched in May, 2009, and studied . the origin and evolution of stars and galaxies in a mission to discover . how the Universe came to be. At the time of its launch, Herschel . held 2,300 litres of liquid helium but that has slowly been evaporating . over the past three years. Astronomers confirmed it had . finally run out at the start of the spacecraft's daily . communication with the ground station in Western Australia. The timing of its demise was accurately predicted by experts. Professor Alvaro Giménez Cañete, . ESA’s director of Science and Robotic Exploration, said: 'Herschel has . exceeded all expectations, providing us with an incredible treasure . trove of data that that will keep astronomers busy for many years to . come.' The Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy in infrared light seen by the Herschel Space Observatory . An infrared image of the Orion nebula highlighting fledgling stars hidden in gas and clouds . The space observatory amassed more than 25,000 hours of data from 600 observing programmes. The telescope was launched from French Guiana in May, 2009. Weighs 3.3 tonnes and its lifespan was 11 months longer than originally predicted. Its primary mirror is one and a half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Made 35,000 scientific observations and amassed more than 25,000 hours of data. The space observatory will be sent into permanent orbit around the Sun. Herschel is named after Sir William Herschel, the discoverer of the infrared spectrum and planet Uranus, and his sister and collaborator Caroline Herschel. Herschel carried the largest and most powerful infrared telescope ever flown in space and its  primary mirror was 3.5metres in diameter - one and a half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Its telescope captured thousands of . images of star-forming regions and was able to shine through obstacles . that block visible light. Göran Pilbratt, ESA’s Herschel . Project scientist, said the telescope had given new insight into the . secret workings of the Universe. He said: 'Herschel has offered us a new view of the hitherto . hidden Universe, pointing us to a previously unseen process of star . birth and galaxy formation, and allowing us to trace water through the . Universe from molecular clouds to newborn stars and their planet-forming . discs and belts of comets.' Thomas Passvogel, ESA’s Herschel . Programme manager, added: 'Herschel’s ground-breaking scientific haul is . in no little part down to the excellent work done by European industry, . institutions and academia in developing, building and operating the . observatory and its instruments.' In a demonstration of Herschel's . work, the ESA released images taken of the Andromeda galaxy showing cool . lanes of forming stars in the finest detail yet. The unparalleled power of its . infrared telescope meant it could capture infrared light from some of . the coolest areas of the Universe, allowing astronomers a glimpse of . these regions for the first time. The satellite, which is currently . 1.5million km from Earth, will be propelled into an orbit of the Sun, . where it will remain indefinitely. The billion-euro observatory will now be sent into orbit around the Sun, where it will remain indefinitely .
has stopped working, ending three years of observations, ESA staff say Herschel has left observatory was launched in May, 2009, and Western Australia. The timing of its demise was incredible treasure . trove of data that that Made 35,000 scientific observations and amassed more than 25,000 hours of data. The space billion-euro observatory will now be sent into orbit around the Sun, where it will remain