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We describe an update to the Herschel-Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS) calibration for extended sources, which incorporates a correction for the frequency-dependent far-field feedhorn efficiency, ηff. This significant correction affects all FTS extended-source calibrated spectra in sparse or mapping mode, regardless of the spectral resolution. Line fluxes and continuum levels are underestimated by factors of 1.3-2 in thespectrometer long wavelength band (447-1018 GHz; 671-294 μm) and 1.4-1.5 in the spectrometer short wavelength band (944-1568 GHz; 318-191 μm). The correctionwas implemented in the FTS pipeline version 14.1 and has also been described in the SPIRE Handbook since 2017 February. Studies based on extended-source calibrated spectra produced prior to this pipeline version should be critically reconsidered using the current products available in the Herschel Science Archive. Once the extended-source calibrated spectra are corrected for ηff, the synthetic photometry and the broad-band intensities from SPIRE photometer maps agree within 2-4 per cent - similar levels to the comparison of point-source calibrated spectra and photometry from point-source calibrated maps. The two calibration schemes for the FTS are now self-consistent: the conversion between the corrected extended-source and point-source calibrated spectra can be achieved with the beam solid angle and a gain correction that accounts for the diffraction loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust grains play a key role in the physics of star-forming regions, even though they constitute only ~1 per cent of the mass of the interstellar medium. The derivation of accurate dust parameters such as temperature (Td), emissivity spectral index (β) and column density requires broad-band continuum observations at far-infraredwavelengths.We present Herschel-Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver Array (SPIRE) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) measurements of three starless cores: L1521E, L1521F and L1689B, covering wavelengths between 194 and 671 μm. This paper is the first to use our recently updated SPIRE-FTS intensity calibration, yielding a direct match with SPIRE photometer measurements of extended sources. In addition, we carefully assess the validity of calibration schemes depending on-source extent and on the strength of background emission. The broad-band far-infrared spectra for all three sources peak near 250 μm. Our observations therefore provide much tighter constraints on the spectral energy distribution (SED) shape than measurements that do not probe the SED peak. The spectra are fitted using modified blackbody functions, allowing both Td and β to vary as free parameters. This yields Td of 9.8±0.2, 15.6±0.5 and 10.9±0.2 K and corresponding β of 2.6∓0.9, 0.8∓0.1 and 2.4∓0.8 for L1521E, L1521F and L1689B, respectively. The derived core masses are 1.0±0.1, 0.10±0.01 and 0.49±0.05M☉, respectively. The core mass/Jeans mass ratios for L1521E and L1689B exceed unity indicating that they are unstable to gravitational collapse, and thus pre-stellar cores. By comparison, the elevated temperature and gravitational stability of L1521F support previous arguments that this source is more evolved and likely a protostar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the data processing pipeline to generate calibrated data products from the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer on the Herschel Space Observatory. The pipeline processes telemetry from SPIRE observations and produces calibrated spectra for all resolution modes. The spectrometer pipeline shares some elements with the SPIRE photometer pipeline, including the conversion of telemetry packets into data timelines and calculation of bolometer voltages. We present the following fundamental processing steps unique to the spectrometer: temporal and spatial interpolation of the scan mechanism and detector data to create interferograms; Fourier transformation; apodization; and creation of a data cube. We also describe the corrections for various instrumental effects including first- and second-level glitch identification and removal, correction of the effects due to emission from the Herschel telescope and from within the spectrometer instrument, interferogram baseline correction, temporal and spatial phase correction, non-linear response of the bolometers, and variation of instrument performance across the focal plane arrays. Astronomical calibration is based on combinations of observations of standard astronomical sources and regions of space known to contain minimal emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present observations that were carried out with the Two HUndred Micron PhotometER (THUMPER) mounted on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii, at a wavelength of 200 μm (frequency 1.5 THz). The observations utilize a small atmospheric window that opens up at this wavelength under very dry conditions at high-altitude observing sites. The atmosphere was calibrated using the sky-dipping method and a relation was established between the optical depth, τ, at 1.5 THz and that at 225 GHz: . Mars and Jupiter were mapped from the ground at this wavelength for the first time, and the system characteristics measured. A noise-equivalent flux density (NEFD) of ∼ 65 ± 10 Jy (1σ 1s) was measured for the THUMPER–JCMT combination, consistent with predictions based upon our laboratory measurements. The main beam resolution of 14 arcsec was confirmed and an extended error beam detected at roughly two-thirds of the magnitude of the main beam. Measurements of the Sun allow us to estimate that the fraction of the power in the main beam is ∼15 per cent, consistent with predictions based on modelling the dish surface accuracy. It is therefore shown that the sky over Mauna Kea is suitable for astronomy at this wavelength under the best conditions. However, higher or drier sites should have a larger number of useable nights per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]