The Universe in 3D: First Observations with SPIFFI, the Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer for the VLT

SPIFFI is the infrared integral field spectrometer for the VLT. Here we report on early results from our first observations in 2003. This selection includes the stellar content and dynamics of the Galactic Centre and its geometric distance measurement, the dynamics and molecular emission of the Ultra Luminous Infrared Galaxy NGC 6240, and the portrait of the high-redshift submillimeter Galaxy SMM 14011+0252, indicating that submillimeter galaxies are the precursors of massive local bulges and ellipticals.