Armagh Planetarium - Hubble Anniversary

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE 15TH ANNIVERSARY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Fifteen years ago, on 24 April 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched by the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31). In many ways Hubble has revolutionised modern astronomy, not only by being an incredible tool for making new discoveries, but also by driving astronomical research in general.

To mark the 15th anniversary of the HST, Armagh Planetarium has been given the honour of hosting the unveiling of two new Hubble Anniversary images. As our building is currently being refurbished, the event will take place on Sunday 24th April at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

(LEFT) THE BEAUTIFUL BARRED SPIRAL GALAXY NGC 1300
(image courtesy ESA NASA)

Click on image for a larger view.

The event begins at 2.00pm and is a joint venture between Armagh Planetarium, the Ulster Museum, the Faulkes Robotic Telescope Project and the Hubble European Space Agency Information Centre in Munich. There will be live, family-friendly presentations at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.00pm on the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope and there will be a live connection to the 2m Faulkes Telescope in Hawaii. Weather permitting, attendees will have the opportunity to take their own images of celestial objects using the largest telescope in the world dedicated to education. Admission is free and there will be activities for all ages.

(LEFT)
NASA/ESA HAVE RELEASED THESE TWO NEW VIEWS OF THE MOST WELL KNOWN IMAGES HUBBLE HAS EVER TAKEN: THE EAGLE NEBULA AND THE SPIRAL GALAXY M51 (THE WHIRLPOOL GALAXY)

ESA has, in collaboration with partners all over Europe including Armagh Planetarium, produced a Hubble DVD called "15 Years of Discovery". It is a marvelous 83 minute journey through the history, the teething trouble and the scientific successes of Hubble. The soundtrack is unique and has been specially composed for the movie. In addition there are more than 50 minutes of bonus material. The DVD is mounted in a transparent AMARAY-Safebox with a beautiful full colour 32-page booklet about Hubble and its images is available to purchase from Armagh Planetarium's Mail Order Department.