Spring Break
For decades, Hopkins has coordinated Hubble Space Telescope research
Scientists and students around the world utilize data from the Space Telescope Science Institute's work, organized and run on the Hopkins Homewood campus since the early 1980's
Issue date: 4/30/09
Observations taken from the Hubble have led to a number of historic scientific breakthroughs, including determining the rate of expansion of the universe, studying the behavior and characteristics of dark matter and the detection and characterization of extrasolar planets, planets beyond the Earth's solar system.
However, the Hubble was launched in 1990, and it is now drawing close to the end of its mission, according to Kathryn Flanagan, head of the James Webb Space Telescope, the project that is to eventually replace the Hubble.
"The Hubble's last servicing mission is being launched in about two weeks," she said.
According to Flanagan, there will be some overlap between the time when the James Webb is launched and the Hubble is retired. Currently 94 scientists, researchers and engineers are working on its development.
Although it is considered the Hubble's replacement, the James Webb telescope is fundamentally different in several ways. The Hubble makes optical observations based on the light spectrum visible to the human eye. The James Webb will make infrared observations. Additionally, the James Webb will be orbiting at 1.5 million kilometers, while the Hubble orbits at 570 kilometers.
Flanagan thinks that the Hubble has performed important scientific functions and will continue to do so for the rest of its operational time.
"It's an unbelievable resource for all of the astronomical community," she said. "And for students, it's also a major draw."
She cited the examples of graduate students using data from the Hubble for their theses and research opportunities available at all graduate and undergraduate levels. STScI also runs a summer undergraduate program.
Flanagan also thinks that in the future, STScI could become a source of jobs for recent graduates and other members of the community.
"Pretty soon, possibly in 2011, we'll most likely be hiring," she said. "We'll be ramping up work on the James Webb, and the Hubble operations will continue to take a significant core staff for some time."
The James Webb is currently scheduled to be launched sometime in 2013.
However, the Hubble was launched in 1990, and it is now drawing close to the end of its mission, according to Kathryn Flanagan, head of the James Webb Space Telescope, the project that is to eventually replace the Hubble.
"The Hubble's last servicing mission is being launched in about two weeks," she said.
According to Flanagan, there will be some overlap between the time when the James Webb is launched and the Hubble is retired. Currently 94 scientists, researchers and engineers are working on its development.
Although it is considered the Hubble's replacement, the James Webb telescope is fundamentally different in several ways. The Hubble makes optical observations based on the light spectrum visible to the human eye. The James Webb will make infrared observations. Additionally, the James Webb will be orbiting at 1.5 million kilometers, while the Hubble orbits at 570 kilometers.
Flanagan thinks that the Hubble has performed important scientific functions and will continue to do so for the rest of its operational time.
"It's an unbelievable resource for all of the astronomical community," she said. "And for students, it's also a major draw."
She cited the examples of graduate students using data from the Hubble for their theses and research opportunities available at all graduate and undergraduate levels. STScI also runs a summer undergraduate program.
Flanagan also thinks that in the future, STScI could become a source of jobs for recent graduates and other members of the community.
"Pretty soon, possibly in 2011, we'll most likely be hiring," she said. "We'll be ramping up work on the James Webb, and the Hubble operations will continue to take a significant core staff for some time."
The James Webb is currently scheduled to be launched sometime in 2013.
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