Astronomy Picture of the Day |
APOD: 1995 August 10 - The Orbiting Hubble Space Telescope
Explanation:
The
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the largest orbiting public
optical telescope
in history. Its 2.4 meter diameter reflecting mirror and its perch
above Earth's
atmosphere allow it to create exceptionally sharp images.
Originally
launched in 1990, HST optics were repaired to their intended
accuracy in 1993 by the first of several regular servicing missions.
Astronomers using HST continue to make numerous monumental scientific
discoveries, including
new estimates of the age of our universe,
previously unknown galaxies,
evidence of massive black holes in the centers of galaxies,
previously unknown moons,
and a better understanding of
physical processes in our universe.
APOD: 2000 January 16 - The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
Explanation:
The
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) was the
most massive instrument ever launched by a
NASA Space Shuttle in 1991
and continues to revolutionize
gamma-ray astronomy.
Before Compton loses more stabilizing gyroscopes,
NASA is considering firing onboard rockets to
bring it on a controlled reentry into the ocean.
This orbiting observatory sees the sky in
gamma-ray photons - light so blue humans can't see it.
These photons are blocked by the Earth's atmosphere
from reaching the Earth's surface.
Results from CGRO,
pictured above, have shown the
entire universe to be a violent and rapidly changing place -
when viewed in gamma-rays.
Astronomers using
CGRO data continue to make
monumental discoveries, including identifying
mysterious gamma-ray bursts that uniquely illuminate
the early universe, discovery of a whole new class of QSOs,
and discovery of objects so strange that astronomers
can't yet figure out what they are.
APOD: 1999 July 27 - Chandra X-ray Telescope
Explanation:
Wrapped in protective blankets and mounted atop an
Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) rocket,
the Chandra X-ray Telescope is
seen in this wide-angle view
before launch snuggled into the
space shuttle Columbia's payload bay.
Columbia's crew released
the telescope, named in honor of the late Nobel Laureate
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar,
into orbit on Friday, July 23rd,
where it is now undergoing check out and
activation of its scientific instruments.
To help realize its enormous potential for
exploration of the distant Universe at
X-ray energies, controllers
will perform a series
of firings in the coming days
which will eventually
boost the 10,000 pound telescope into a highly ecentric orbit.
In fact, the final working orbit for Chandra
will range from a close point of about 6,200 miles out
to 87,000 miles or one third of
the distance to the Moon.
The elongated orbit will carry Chandra's
sensitive
X-ray detectors beyond interference caused
by the Earth's
radiation belts allowing Chandra to make about 55 hours
of continuous observations per orbit.
The shuttle Colombia, commanded by
Eileen Collins is
scheduled to land this evening at
11:20 pm EDT at Kennedy Space Center.
Authors & editors:
Robert
Nemiroff
(MTU)
& Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Technical Rep.:
Jay Norris.
Specific rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA/
GSFC
&
Michigan Tech. U.