Hubble Wraps Its 30th Year with Dazzling New Images Live Shots

When asked about what the universe looks like, you probably think of Hubble images. The Hubble Space Telescope has inspired scientists and the public alike with its views of the universe for three decades. This year, Hubble celebrated its 30th anniversary, and NASA is marking the occasion by releasing a set of 30 new images from its archives.

The sparkling new collection features images of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, from The Caldwell Catalog - a special catalog of the best celestial targets for amateur astronomers- including some that can be seen from your viewers’ backyard. With these images, Hubble continues to inspire the world to marvel at the beauty of our universe.

NASA scientists are available virtually on Friday, December 11, from 6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST to show your viewers these stunning new views of the cosmos, how they can spot some of these objects in the night sky, and what other dazzling sights to be on the lookout for in the December sky.

Hubble has taken nearly 1.5 million observationsand counting over the last 30 years. The newly released images, which hadn’t been processed and released by NASA until now, highlights a collection of astronomical holiday gifts that can be viewed by amateur astronomers. All of these objects can be seen with a backyard telescope, some even with binoculars or the naked eye. In addition, our NASA scientists will call out some of the extra special sights in the wintry skies above us right now, including the Geminid meteor shower and an extremely rare meet-up of the planets Jupiter and Saturn.

To schedule an interview: Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/jhzLVRKuWEVW9xBq6

Interviews will be conducted using video chat programs including Skype in 15-minute slots. For example 600-615 ET, 615-630 ET, etc. Satellite interviews are not available. Interviews are available in Spanish**

Participating Scientists:
Dr. Jennifer Wiseman / NASA Hubble Senior Project Scientist
Jim Jeletic / NASA Hubble Deputy Project Manager
Dr. Ken Carpenter / NASA Hubble Operations Project Scientist
Dr. Michelle Thaller / NASA Goddard Assistant Director for Science Communications
Dr. Rosa Diaz / Mission Engineering and Science Analysis Branch Deputy, Space Telescope Science Institute [interviews in Spanish]
Max Mutchler / Principal Staff Scientist, Roman Telescope Branch, Space Telescope Science Institute
Dr. Susana Deustua / Associate Scientist, Roman Telescope Branch, Instruments Division, Space Telescope Science Institute [en Español]

Suggested Questions:
Today NASA is releasing a new collection of images from Hubble that feature 30 objects in the night sky. Can you tell us about these images, and why they are interesting?
You said some of these objects can be seen from your backyard. How can our viewers find them and see them?
December is a great time to go outside and look up at the night sky. One of the best meteor showers of the year peaks on Sunday. What else should we be on the lookout for this month?
Hubble has made nearly 1.5 million observations over the last 30 years. With so many images to date, what is Hubble working on now?
Hubble’s story is the ultimate comeback story. It was designed to last 15 years, but thanks to the brave astronauts who upgraded it over several missions, it’s now 30 and still going strong. What’s next for the telescope?
How can our viewers see more of these images and learn more about Hubble?

Suggested Intro:
EARLIER THIS YEAR THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE CELEBRATED ITS 30 ANNIVERSARY, DOUBLE THE ORIGINAL MISSION DURATION. TODAY NASA IS RELEASING A NEW COLLECTION OF IMAGES….. 30 CELESTIAL SIGHTS IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 30 YEARS. SOME OF THESE SPECTACULAR SIGHTS ARE THINGS YOU CAN SEE FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD.

TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY [...] TO SHOW US SOME OF THESE AMAZING IMAGES AND TELL US HOW WE CAN OBSERVE THESE OBJECTS IN THE NIGHT SKY.