The Hubble Space Telescope ranks as one of the most successful space science experiments of all time, writes Dick Ahlstrom.
Startling discoveries and visual wonders have been captured by the telescope for more than a decade and it just goes on surprising scientists who use it.
The telescope's contribution to astronomy provides the theme for a talk taking place in Dublin on March 31st by Lars Lindberg Christensen, head of communications for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) on behalf of the European Space Agency.
The device has a string of important discoveries behind it, says Lindberg Christensen. Yet it has managed to become "something of a scientific icon" of interest to non-scientists because of the wonderful pictures it delivers.
These dramatic images showing our nearby planets, distant star formation and a view back to the beginning of time will form a central part of the presentation, he says. Lindberg Christensen will also explain some of the more important discoveries attributed to the HST.
It showed that virtually all galaxies have a super massive black hole at their centres. "There is some connection, these big black holes are essential for the development of galaxies," he says.
Scientists were also stunned when they agreed to attempt "Hubble Deep Field" images, taken by pointing the telescope at apparently blank space for days at a time. "That was a very bold thing to do because Hubble hours are very expensive. It costs about €10,000 per hour of observation time," he explains. "What happened was what you saw was a blank area that suddenly had 3,000 galaxies in it."
Launched in 1990, the HST immediately ran into problems that prevented it from "seeing" clearly. This was fixed "in true Hollywood fashion" with a shuttle flight and space walk to put "glasses" on the HST and effect a repair.
"Hubble is really reaching its old age," says Lindberg Christensen but it is not finished yet. A servicing mission is due to launch on August 28th and if successful, the HST should be able to continue its work for five more years.
The talk is organised by Astronomy Ireland (AI) in conjunction with The Irish Times. It takes place in the Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin at 8pm on 31st March. Tickets cost €5 and €3 for seniors, students and Astronomy Ireland members.
Space is limited so bookings must be made over the AI web site at: www.astronomy.ie/lecture200803.html
• A DVD with beautiful HST images will be distributed to attendees free of charge. The talk may be viewed afterwards on Astronomy Ireland's website, www.astronomy.ie .