Apr 3 2010
NASA set out on a monumental journey with the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990. Since then, it has captured the minds and imaginations of people around the world.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this scientific icon, NASA has collaborated with leading illustrated book publisher Abrams to release a dynamic and unique collection of Hubble images and commentary.
"Hubble: A Journey Through Space and Time" takes an in-depth look at this unique, ground-breaking telescope. It serves as an authoritative account of the observatory, which has revolutionized astronomy and photography. The book highlights Hubble's spectacular visual legacy to humanity in stunning images and includes what many consider Hubble's 20 most important scientific findings to date. The classic images, all selected by NASA astronomers, show stars being born and dying; galaxies colliding and reforming; and the young universe in the throes of creation.
"This book represents a sampling of 20 years of Hubble discoveries that have forever changed the view of the universe and our place within it," said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington and the book's author. "The new and improved Hubble will continue to have a positive impact on the world for decades with many of its greatest discoveries yet to come."
Complementing the stunning imagery are commentaries by notable scientists and testimonies by the veteran astronauts who manned NASA's missions to repair and maintain the telescope. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who piloted the space shuttle that launched the telescope, contributed the foreword. The result is a firsthand, complete story of one of history's most important astronomical tools. The book is available at bookstores.