Posted on 04/26/2005 10:52:37 AM PDT by Wolfstar
A new view of the Eagle Nebula, one of the two largest and sharpest images Hubble Space Telescope has ever taken, is released by NASA for Hubble's 15th anniversary April 25, 2005. The new Eagle Nebula image reveals a tall, dense tower of gas being sculpted by ultraviolet light from a group of massive, hot stars. During the 15 years Hubble has orbited the Earth, it has taken more than 700,000 photos of the cosmos.
Do you see the Angel?
Encyclopedia Britannica:
"[April 25, 1990] Hubble Space Telescope sent into orbit
1990: The Hubble Space Telescope was placed into orbit about 600 km (370 miles) above Earth on this day by the crew of the U.S. space shuttle Discovery. A sophisticated optical observatory, it was built under the supervision of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and was named after Edwin Hubble, the foremost American astronomer of the 20th century."
Hubble. Still paying dividends.
:-)
I spent some time in the Hubble mission control room.
Thank You so much!
Were you there during the repair phase? What an amazing thing that was.
Thanks for the links.
I was actually working on Space Station at the time. Used to pop into the Hubble control room.
However, when I was at JPL, I was on the mission control team that flew the Magellan spacecraft to the planet Venus. (The same control room that is currently controling the Mars rovers). I also had the privilege of being in the Voyager control room for Neptune encounter.
Sorry, kinda bragging here. :-) I have worked in the US space program for more than 27 years now.
Your welcome. :-)
You're welcome. And I agree. It is hard to wrap our minds around the vastness of the universe, and how very insignificant we are.
I may be mistaken, but I think the problem with Hubble is that it's optics need maintenance and/or replacement, and the costs/difficulties to do it. I'm totally with those who want to keep Hubble going, though.
You're welcome and yes, it's just awesome.
Gyros, solar arrays, cameras, and batteries. :-)
Hi Gretchen. Yes, Hubble has been a spectacular success. I don't know if these images touch you the same way, but they touch my soul in a profound way I can't quite explain. It evokes a powerful sense of yearning and of hope.
May I take this opportunity, then, to profoundly thank you and, through you, the entire space community (for want of a better term). You have given all of humanity immense gifts beyond price.
What is the issue or issues regarding continuing to maintain Hubble? I'm not sure I've got my info correct.
Holy cow. That is about the nicest thing said to me here on FR. I am humbly greatful.
These photos just leave me agog. Feeling tiny. Lacking understanding in the face of an infinite Creator. Wanting to know more.
Astronomy picture of the day archive
has thousands of pictures, many from HUBBLE.
(for those who are seeking a site with Hubble photos)
or SPACE.COM
Mostly the risk involved with flying one of the remaining Shuttles to a platform that cannot be used as a life boat (i.e. space station) should the Shuttle sustain damage during launch.
Same here!
It's stunning!
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