The 30th birthday celebration of Hubble Space Telescope will be changed based on the current situations today. Apparently, space activities can also be affected by the massive spread of coronavirus.
Due to COVID-19, Hubble space telescope anniversary will be interrupted
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA's general telescope called Hubble will celebrate its 30th anniversary differently compared to the original
In a post made by the European Space Agency or ESA, the company said that Hubble's 30th birthday image unveiling would be interrupted to give priority to the health and proper social distancing of all their visitors and organizers. The original plan of the celebration will take place on or shortly after the anniversary date of Apr. 24. This event will showcase the Hubble's 30th celebration and the images the device has taken so far during its service.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and the government's protocol of not allowing social gatherings, the ESA finally announces that they will still push the anniversary in one possible way: Hubble Birthday will take place in the coming months.
"The health and safety of visitors and organizers of Hubble 30 celebrations events remain our top priority. The original plan was to have unveiling events taking place on or shortly after the anniversary date of Apr. 24," said the agency. "ESA/Hubble is now shifting its vision to instead hold events in the coming months that are a general celebration of the Hubble Space Telescope's splendid 30 years."
ESA's answer to Coronavirus
Unlike before, Hubble will no longer allow public gatherings of its discoveries for the 30th anniversary. However, do not be sad. The ESA still promises to offer the space image unveilings of the device at various European space facilities on not yet specific dates. But it is expected to happen on dates after Apr. 24 up to before Sept. 30.
"Instead of only display events, ESA/Hubble is encouraging a broad style of events and activities that celebrate Hubble in general, and its 30 years of scientific discoveries," said on its press release. "As events become more widespread throughout the year, ESA/Hubble will also support activities in whatever way possible, including the provision of additional materials and possible on-site support, such as qualified representatives from ESA/Hubble who can speak at various events."
What is Hubble Space Telescope?
Hubble, as explained, is NASA's general telescope in space. It explores the universe 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The device captures cosmic wonder every day of the year that gives heads up to the space agency, whether there will be new stars, planet, or galaxies found in deep space.
The telescope was placed into a low-Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle. It used modular components so that it can be recovered on subsequent Shuttle Servicing missions and faulty or outdated parts more easily replaced before being re-released into orbit.
Since 2018, the Hubble Space Telescope has made over 1.5 million observations of more than 43 500 celestial objects. This leads to creating more than 15,500 published space articles using the data the device gathered. And now that it is his 30th birthday in the middle of the Coronavirus issue, we just have to give thanks to him for now until we can celebrate it again soon.
