1. The Hubble Space Telescope Nikki Martin Physics 11A Mr. Jennings Dec. 9, 2005

2. What is the Hubble Space Telescope? The Hubble Space Telescope is a telescope set in orbit about 610-km above the Earth. It was launched on April 12, 1990, by the space shuttle, Discovery.The telescope had an expected 15-year life that would be monitored by NASA. This telescope is capable of taking extremely sharp images of our galaxy, and galaxies beyond. This telescope has become one of the most important in the history of astronomy.

3. It is operated in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), and is controlled from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, by way of radio signals.

4. The Hubble Space Telescope has many components, but there are six main components that aid in seeing deep into space. These components are: Wild Field/Planetary Camera 2 (WF/PC2)- the telescopes’ chief instrument Faint-Object Camera (FOC)- this camera has a small field of view Faint-Object Spectrograph- this component measures wavelengths of dim objects at ultraviolet and optical wavelengths Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph- only measures ultraviolet wavelengths

5. The Research Being Done The Hubble Space Telescope is allowing scientists to see deeper into space then was ever possible before. They can examine faraway galaxies and determine how far away they are by the brightness of the light emitted by them. Scientists used the telescope to locate what looks like a planet, not far outside of our solar system. This planet is thought to have been ejected far away from its parental stars.

6. The Faulty Lens Not long after the Hubble Space Telescope was launched, a flaw was discovered in the lens. Images were less clear when they were received at NASA. Astronauts from the space shuttle, Endeavour, were sent up to repair the faulty lens in 1993. It was necessary to install an optical device, much like a contact, that would correct the error. Even though the lens was only about 2 micrometers in size, it took five days for the installment of the new component. During this mission, the astronauts added several other components, as well as in 1997, 1999, and 2002.

7. The repairs of the Hubble Space Telescope and the new equipment installed cost almost 70 million- dollars. In total, the telescope cost 15 billion-dollars to make, and since its launch in 1990, it has cost U.S. taxpayers more than 25 billion-dollars. It has been 15 years since the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. 15 years was the expected life of the telescope, and it is now under review whether or not to refinance the project. Costs

8. Is it Worth Keeping? I think the results of the research and repair work justify the cost because the research has helped scientists see farther into the universe than was ever before possible. In order for them to understand the universe, they needed a clear view, therefore the repair of the telescope was needed. This telescope has helped us evaluate what goes on in the universe, and it can help us figure out what could happen in the future.

9. Pictures Taken by the Hubble Telescope

10. The End