(An expanding halo of light around a distant star, named V838 Monocerotis)

By: Blake

Since it’s launch in 1990 the Hubble has given us many amazing pictures of our universe and it is being upgraded to expand it’s helpfulness to astronomers. The new equipment will make the Hubble about 100 times more powerful and will allow it to see deeper in to space than ever before. I think that the mission to put the new camera is a risky one, but discovering the secrets of the universe is a notable reward.

The new wide field camera is roughly the size of a small car and weighs about 900 pounds. This 132 million dollar camera is going to allow astronomers to see from 500 to 600 million years after the birth of the universe. Having it will help scientists in discovering new information about the mysteries of dark matter, which is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to account for gravitational forces found in the universe.

(Purple is the proposed dark matter - The bright blobs are clusters of galaxies)

Many people think that this mission is too risky for the astronauts due to the space trash that we have allowed to accumulate around earth. I agree that it is dangerous, but this is what astronauts signed up for when they took the job. Doing anything in space is risky. It is like a police officer chasing a criminal, it is dangerous but it is a part of their job.

132 million dollars worth of camera better yield results, it is only an expectation that every one has. Hopefully every one’s expectations will be met soon after it’s upgrade is complete.

(Eskimo Nebula)