NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode May 24 due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue, suspending science operations. Hubble’s instruments are stable, and the telescope is in good health. The telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its three gyroscopes gave faulty telemetry readings. Hubble’s gyros measure the telescope’s slew rates and are […]
  • FuglyDuckEnglish
    37•6 months ago

    Can we talk about how epic the Hubble is as a telescope? the JWST is phenomal. But really, without the Hubble, Webb wouldn’t even know where to look.

    here’s to you, ya giant tin can in space. i’m sorry for replacing my desktop with one from the JWST…

      • FuglyDuckEnglish
        12•6 months ago

        I mean, I fully expect JWST to be as pivotal as Hubble- but Hubble set the bar and its still going higher.

        Probably the most exciting part of this is that with the JWST active, it frees up more time on the Hubble, so you might start to get some more “side projects” get time on the Hubble.

        though. my favorite pictures?

        Eta Carinae and the Butterfly Nebula

        • @disguy_ovahea
          7•6 months ago

          I’ve never seen Eta Carinae before. It’s stunning! It really is an incredible work of engineering.

          Hubble helped us understand what and where, the way that JWST is now helping us understand when and how. Its findings on the beginning and expansion of the universe are incredible, and I think it’ll only get more interesting.

          • FuglyDuckEnglish
            7•6 months ago

            it’s amazing that the Hubble has made over 1.6 million observations of 30 years. Some quick math says that, with no breaks, that’s 140 or so observations a day.

            My boss is wondering why I’m so unproductive…

            • @disguy_ovahea
              6•6 months ago

              Love that.

              It’s even more impressive when you consider the long shutter speed and number of images needed for a composite of most of those observations.