Just How Good is the "New" Hubble? Let's Compare

By Nancy Atkinson - September 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM UTC | Telescopes
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[/caption] "This marks a new beginning for Hubble," said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate at today's press briefing at NASA Headquarters to showcase the images from Hubble following Servicing Mission 4. "The telescope was given an extreme makeover and is now significantly more powerful than ever — well equipped to last well into the next decade."

But how much more powerful is Hubble? Are there any discernible differences between the old images from Hubble and the new ones released today? You better believe it. Above is the star field of Omega Centauri before (2002) and after (2009).

See more comparisons below.

[caption id="attachment_39689" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Butterfly Nebula before and after. Credit: NASA/Hubble team. Collage by Stuart Atkinson"]

[/caption] Here's an earlier image of the Butterfly Nebula (NGC 6302, or the Bug Nebula) with the one released today. (Thanks to Stu Atkinson for the comparison image.)

Scientists at today's briefing said the new instruments are more sensitive to light and therefore will significantly improve Hubble's observing efficiency. The space telescope is now able to complete observations in a fraction of the time that was needed with earlier generations of Hubble instruments.

[caption id="attachment_39653" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Stephan's Quintet from 2000 (left) and 2009 (right) Credit: NASA/ESA Hubble Team"]

[/caption] And here's Stephan's Quintet from 2000 (left) and 2009 (right).

Need we say more?

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com