NASA to Review Decision on Fate of Hubble

[moof]

By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer


BALTIMORE - The clamor over a plan to abandon the Hubble Space Telescope (news - web
sites) — and along with it, the most striking images of the universe the world has ever seen —
has been so loud that NASA (news - web sites)'s chief says the decision will be reviewed.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=753&e=1&u=/ap/20040130/ap_on_sc/hubble_plea

[meegbear]

1. I hope they fund it ...

it has so much to offer.

Maybe they should tell * that it'll disprove the Big Bang and prove creationism. Then the bucks will pour in.

[MercutioATC]

2. I agree, but the Hubble replacement is due in 2010...

Promises to be much better. IF (and I DO say if) it's so much better, might we be able to let the Hubble die without too much remorse?

My point is that all of the "Hubble abandoned" stories I've seen fail to mention its replacement. Maybe NASA has a handle on this...

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

3. What if the funds for the NGT are diverted to the "war"

on terrorism? It'd be easy to justify redirecting space research funds into the ABM program (a black hole), or space weapon development. There's already a plan for combining certain NASA and military space operations "in the interest of efficiency".

Doing away with space telescopes also serves a second purpose: to eliminate tangible evidence which challenges the fundy belief that the universe is 5,000 years old.

Remember, this is the most anti-science administration ever.

[MercutioATC]

4. Agreed, but I think the NGT is safe.

After all, Bush has chosen to be the "Buck Rogers" Prez and insists we go to Mars...

[pmbryant]

19. That has nothing to do with sending humans to Mars though

No space science funding not oriented towards Mars or the Moon is safe.

If Hubble, as famous as it is and as successful as it's been can be killed 3-years prematurely, there is no reason to expect anything else to survive the cutbacks. Especially since Bush has a demonstrated 'anti-science' attitude.

:scared:

--Peter

[Enraged_Ape]

6. The Webb and the Hubble telescopes "see" in different wavelengths

The Hubble has a huge spectrum going from ultraviolet through near-infrared (including visible light), while the James Webb's is only near-infrared through mid-infrared.

As I understand it, the plan was to have both in orbit for at least three years to compare readings between the two telescopes. Webb's IR images could be compared with those from Hubble.

So the talk about the James Webb telescope being Hubble's "replacement" is true in a sense, but then it's also not true. They were designed to work together, at least for a while.

[Sialia]

7. The James Webb ST

The JWST was designed specifically to look at high-redshift (early universe) objects; it is not even intended as a general-purpose infrared telescope overall, though I presume it can do some non-early-universe observations as well. So it is in no way a "replacement" for the Hubble, and I don't know why it was being sold as such.

The Hubble can do observations over a huge range of distances--in addition to its new ultra-deep-field image, it just produced a stunning image of Uranus and its rings.

[kysrsoze]

10. The telescope planned for 2020 is supposed to be amazing

It will be a cluster of 4 scopes all working together to provide one giant picture. NASA expects it to be able to view near-earth size planets in the visible light spectrum - and will be able to analyze the light wavelengths to determine if those planets are capable of supporting life. I can't wait to see the images this one brings back.

[Dudley_DUright]

14. It is not clear if any of these follow on projects will be funded

if Bushco gets their way and NASA's emphasis changes to manned missions to the Moon and Mars. BTW, I think you are talking about the terrestrial planet finder (TPF) mission. You can find possible ideas for this at the following link.

http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/TPF/tpf_sample.html

[kysrsoze]

9. The scope coming in 2010 is infra-red based. Different optics....

different purpose. A major overhaul of Hubble was planned for 2007. Essentially, it will be a brand new, much more powerful scope for the last three years of its existence. I hope they do fund this update - shame to let it go to waste.

[Endangered Specie]

11. The replacement doesnt take the same pictures

The new one takes IR images (in other words not within the visible light spectrum)

[R Hickey]

5. It's Dubya's bait and switch. Promised the moon, to kill the Hubble

Bush just killed Hubble. Nobody realizes that this was what he was after when he gave his pretty space speech.

NASA has just been dealt a death blow. Space is now to be exclusively used for waging war. The next Hubble will never get off the ground, instead we'll get another flowery speech about the "wonders of the universe." Probably we won't even get that.

Mark my words, "peaceful exploration of space," is a concept the PNAC has no use for, and Bush just killed it.

[havocmom]

8. Since it provides so much wonderful information

but can't be used to blow someone up, I would guess Hubble is doomed.

sigh... I was in Tucson when it started sending pictures. You cannot believe the pure joy of watching the astronomy staff racing around back then. Peaceful, inquisitive, dedicated people working with a new tool.

Neocons can't allow that sort of enthusiasm to continue, can they?

[pmbryant]

12. This supposed 'review' just sounds like a way to make us stop complaining

How many think they are seriously thinking about changing the decision?

:eyes:

--Peter

[Judi Lynn]

13. 'Save the Hubble' campaign soars (BBC News)

'Save the Hubble' campaign soars

By Dr David Whitehouse
BBC News Online science editor



Thousands have signed the petition
A petition website calling for the Hubble Space Telescope to be saved is attracting a growing number of hits.
www.SaveTheHubble.com was established by University of Brasilia lecturer Fernando Ribeiro following the US space agency's decision to abandon the scope.

"I hope it will become a forum about Hubble's prospects and a launch pad (so to speak) for a campaign to save it."

Left alone, Hubble, called the most important scientific instrument ever, could only survive another three years.

Safety concerns

Astronomers were stunned when Nasa's chief, Sean O'Keefe, decided on 16 January to cancel the fifth, and final, visit of the space shuttle to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3437309.stm

[Judi Lynn]

15. Hubble telescope may get reprieve

Hubble telescope may get reprieve
From correspondents in Baltimore
January 30, 2004

NASA'S chief has agreed to a review of his decision to cancel servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope and let it deteriorate and go out of operation, Sen. Barbara Mikulski said.

Adm. Hal Gehman, chairman of the board that investigated the Columbia space shuttle breakup last year, will "review the (Hubble) matter and offer his unique perspective," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said in a letter to Mikulski, who released a copy of the letter.

O'Keefe had defended his decision earlier this month to cancel all space shuttle missions to the Hubble, which has revolutionized the study of astronomy with its striking images of the universe. He had cited the risk to the astronauts on a Hubble mission and President George W. Bush's plans to send humans to the moon, Mars and beyond as the reason for NASA's change of focus.

Mikulski, the ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee that that oversees NASA's budget, had asked for a review of the decision.
(snip/...)

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8533623%255E1702,00.ht...

Thanks for posting the photo, moof!

[bmbmd]

16. Hubble must be destroyed.

Wouldn't be right to research the "Big Bang" while teaching creationism in the public schools.

[jpak]

18. Yes! Evil Physics must be destroyed

Brother Ashcroft will be pleased

(evil biology...evil chemistry...)

[The Sushi Bandit]

17. I see you have a picture of Kaanapali

We have a place there too!