Announcements 2020

16 December 2020: How does spectroscopy work and what can the study of light tell us about the Universe? How are astronomers using spectroscopy to study exoplanets in the search for life? This Hubblecast will explore how spectroscopy works and how it facilitates valuable research with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, including innovative research in the study of exoplanets. The video also highlights how Hubble’s spectroscopy data will be complemented by those of the upcoming NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Many other Hubblecast episodes are also available on the Hubblecast website.

26 August 2020: On 24 April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 30 years of science discoveries that have revolutionised nearly all areas of current astronomical research, from planetary science to cosmology, and its countless pictures are unmistakably out of this world. ESA/Hubble has launched various initiatives to celebrate this special occasion, which included an invitation to the general public to submit Hubble-inspired creations to be used for ESA/Hubble outreach activities. Artistic creations of all kinds were encouraged, and the submissions received included drawings, paintings, sculptures, music and poetry that were all inspired by the Hubble Space Telescope. More than 130 creations were received from around the world from professional and non-professional artists and creators alike. The ESA/Hubble team was delighted by the variety of the submissions, as they truly demonstrated the public’s love for Hubble and how we can creatively celebrate special milestones during times of isolation. A Flickr album and …

27 April 2020: On 24 April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 30 years since its launch. It has since surpassed all expectations, beaming back data and images that have changed scientists’ understanding of the Universe and the public’s perception of it. To mark this special occasion, ESA/Hubble has developed two new special Hubblecasts. Hubblecast 128: 30 Years of Science with the Hubble Space Telescope Hubble’s discoveries have revolutionised nearly all areas of current astronomical research, from planetary science to cosmology, and its pictures are unmistakably out of this world.Hubblecast 128 revisits some of Hubble’s biggest science discoveries throughout its three decades of operation. Hubblecast 129: Hubble’s Collection of Anniversary Images Each year, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope dedicates a small portion of its precious observing time to taking a special anniversary image, focused on capturing particularly beautiful and meaningful objects. To celebrate Hubble’s 30th anniversary, Hubblecast 129 looks back at the …

24 April 2020: While many of us are staying at home during these challenging times, ESA/Hubble is inviting you to get creative to help us celebrate Hubble’s 30th birthday! On 24 April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope will be celebrating 30 years of science discoveries that have revolutionised nearly all areas of current astronomical research, from planetary science to cosmology, and its countless pictures are unmistakably out of this world. ESA/Hubble has launched various initiatives to celebrate this special occasion, and the latest project invites the general public to submit Hubble-themed artwork. A selection of submitted artwork will be featured in future ESA/Hubble outreach activities. Artistic creations of all kinds are encouraged. This includes drawings, paintings, photography, sculptures, and graphic designs that thank and celebrate the Hubble Space Telescope. Inspiration can include: Hubble’s 30th anniversary The Hubble Space Telescope spacecraft Hubble’s scientific achievements Hubble’s beautiful imagery We also invite you to create …

23 April 2020: On Friday 24 April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope will be celebrating 30 years of science discoveries that have revolutionised nearly all areas of current astronomical research, from planetary science to cosmology, and its countless pictures are unmistakably out of this world. At 13:00 Central European Summer Time on 24 April 2020, a press release will be published on spacetelescope.org featuring the new anniversary image in addition to other commemorative visuals. A Hubble 30 Press Package will also be available at the same time. This release will also include two new Hubblecasts for the Hubble Space Telescope’s 30th anniversary. These documentary-style movies will be offered for download and use in several formats on the spacetelescope.org website. One features some of Hubble’s biggest science discoveries throughout its three decades of operation, and the other looks back at the beauty and science behind each of the anniversary images unveiled as of …

10 April 2020: While many of us are staying at home during these challenging times, ESA/Hubble is inviting you to get creative to celebrate Hubble’s upcoming 30th birthday! On 24 April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope will be celebrating 30 years of science discoveries that have revolutionised nearly all areas of current astronomical research, from planetary science to cosmology, and its countless pictures that are unmistakably out of this world. ESA/Hubble has launched various initiatives to celebrate this special occasion, and the latest project invites ESA/Hubble’s social media followers to wish Hubble a Happy 30th birthday by preparing a birthday cake. You can make your cake out of traditional kitchen ingredients, or we also invite you to get creative by making a unique birthday cake made from other materials, such as paper, crafts, modelling clay, or Lego blocks! We invite you to share your creations with us by taking a picture or …

19 March 2020: As reports continue about the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), this Announcement details the updates for the planned Hubble 30th Anniversary Image Unveiling events. The health and safety of visitors and organisers of Hubble 30 celebrations events remain our top priority. The original plan was to have unveiling events taking place on or shortly after the anniversary date of 24 April. ESA/Hubble is now shifting its vision to instead hold events in the coming months that are a general celebration of the Hubble Space Telescope’s splendid 30 years. We understand the spread of the coronavirus may impact the feasibility of hosting public events, particularly those with large audiences. We are therefore flexible with regard to the new dates for the Hubble Space Telescope’s 30th anniversary image to be featured at various European facilities. The showcasing of the image may form part of a general Hubble celebration event any time after the …

5 March 2020: The power for the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's scientific discoveries comes from solar cells. Designing and constructing Hubble's first two sets of solar cell arrays, and the accompanying Solar Array Drive Mechanism (SADM) and Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE), constituted a huge technological achievement for the European Space Agency (ESA) and European industry. After an in-orbit life of more than 10 years, the ESA-built solar arrays were replaced by new, more powerful arrays. However, ESA’s SADM and SADE, which control the telescope’s current solar arrays, are still on board and under ESA purview. They are among the telescope’s oldest subsystems. In December 2019, the accumulated slew angles of the SADM had reached 1 000 000 degrees of travel. This travel began accumulating on this day 18 years ago, 5 March 2002, when ESA’s solar arrays were replaced during the Space Shuttle Servicing Mission 3B. “This milestone is a special occasion …

4 March 2020: Due to the aggressive spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Europe, and in order to comply with ESA guidelines, a decision has been made to postpone the conference Science with the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes — Entering a golden age for UV - Optical - IR astronomy, sponsored by ESA in collaboration with the University of Stockholm. Previously scheduled for 30 March to 3 April 2020, the event will now take place from 14-17 September 2020. The conference will still be held at the Hotel Hasselbacken in Stockholm, Sweden. For registered event attendees and those interested in learning more about this event, please refer to this webpage for more information, including how to rebook and/or cancel your attendance. Notes The original ESA/Hubble announcement detailing the event details can be found here.

24 February 2020: To celebrate the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s 30 incredible years in orbit, ESA/Hubble has selected over 30 education organizations and institutions across Europe to receive high-quality large-format prints of Hubble’s anniversary image for display. Events will be held on and after 24 April to unveil the 30th anniversary image to their respective communities. The list of chosen host institutions is provided below: Belgium Genk: vzw Kattevennen – CosmodromeBrussels: Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium Czech Republic Ondřejov: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicBrno: Brno Observatory and Planetarium Denmark Copenhagen: Cosmic Dawn Centre Finland Helsinki Observatory / Helsinki University Museum France Toulouse: UPS In SpaceParis: Société Astronomique de France / Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (French Astronomical Society / Science and Industry Museum) Germany Zeulenroda-Triebes: Universe Dimensions - SpaceScience EdutainmentBochum: Zeiss Planetarium Bochum Greece Athens: …