Telescopes

Return to the Moon: The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Missions to the Moon haven't been making the news too much lately... in fact, these whole last ten years. That was all changed by the recent launch of the LRO, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Here's a rundown on the mission of the LRO, and what it will do to change lunar astronomy.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on Jun 30, 2009 to
Space Articles
Nothing But the Facts About Radio Telescopes

Although most of the information and observations we obtain from space are disseminated into the mass media in the form of visual images, there is another medium for information that can be just as fruitful for us.

Published by slight_underweft (1296 pts) on Jun 30, 2009 to
Space Articles
Kepler's First Light

The Kepler satellite has taken and sent back the first images of its prodigious mission; and it has done so with its huge photometer.

Published by slight_underweft (1296 pts) on Jun 30, 2009 to
Space Articles

Almost Here: The Herschel Space Observatory

The Herschel Space Observatory has been in the pipes for a long time, and it's only just been launched, promising to be the premier infrared space observatory. Here's an overview of Herschel's past, present and future in this critical field.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on Jun 25, 2009 to
Space Articles
Gone But Not Forgotten: The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, during its nine year mission, accomplished much for the field of gamma ray astronomy. Here's an overview of Compton, its history, how it worked, what it discovered - and why it was deorbited.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on Jun 25, 2009 to
Space Articles
X-Ray Vision: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory has been providing both scientists and laymen alike with some of the most spectacular - and insightful - pictures of our universe since its launch in 1999. Here's an overview of what the Chandra Observatory is, what it does, how it works, and what's in store.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on Jun 25, 2009 to
Space Articles

Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope

NASA has begun operation of the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) which was later renamed the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope. The telescope has replaced the Compton Gamma-ray Observatory.

Published by informationishere (1303 pts) on Jun 21, 2009 to
Space Articles
Starry Success: (Another) Hubble Repair Mission

The Hubble space telescope is responsible for some of the most fantastic pictures - and startling discoveries - in astronomy. As with any piece of aging equipment, it's in need of some repair. This article outlines some of the replacements and improvements that were done for Hubble in May, 2009.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on Jun 4, 2009 to
Space Articles
Sloan Digital Sky Survey's SkyServer: A Vast Collection of Celestial Images and Information

True online telescopes you can control are good for some people, but are not right for those who don't want to wait for telescope time or for their images to be taken. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has a wealth of celestial images and information available at the click of a mouse.

Published by Jeremy Salow (257 pts) on May 29, 2009 to
Space Articles
A Warm Future For The Spitzer Space Telescope

During Spitzer's five and a half year mission in the sky, it has exceeded all expectations, bringing back some of the greatest infrared images - and most fascinating astronomical discoveries - of our time. However, its mission is coming to a partial close.

Published by allychevalier (14652 pts) on May 25, 2009 to
Space Articles