Astro 1 In Orbit
Explanation:
Fifteen years ago, in December of 1990, the Space Shuttle
Orbiter Columbia carried an array
of astronomical telescopes
high above the Earth's obscuring atmosphere to explore the
Universe at ultraviolet and
x-ray wavelengths.
The telescopes, known by the acronyms
UIT,
HUT,
WUPPE, and
BBXRT,
are seen here in Columbia's payload bay against a
spectacular view of the constellation
Orion.
The
ultraviolet telescopes
were mounted on a common structure - HUT is visible in this view along with
a star tracker (the silver cone at the left).
Taken during the
nighttime portion
of the shuttle's 90 minute orbit, the picture shows the
telescopes and structures illuminated by
moonlight.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
