TU to unveil new mural-sized images from NASA’s great observatories

Stunning photographs to commemorate
International Year of Astronomy 2009

Faculty, staff, students and the general public are invited to witness a spectacular event on Sat., Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. in Smith 326, when TU unveils two new mural-sized images taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory.The stunning photographs of the well-known spiral galaxy Messier 101 (the “Pinwheel”) commemorate the International Year of Astronomy.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo first turning a telescope to the heavens. From Galileo's first spyglass, telescopes have grown ever larger and ever better, and have moved to mountaintops and to space. NASA's Great Observatories represent the achievements of astronomy four centuries later and are honoring this legacy with a national image unveiling. TU’s Watson-King Planetarium was selected to present these incredible images to the people of greater Baltimore.

One 6-foot-by-3-foot image shows three striking full-color images that showcase the galaxy’s features in the infrared light observed by Spitzer, the visible light observed by Hubble, and the X-ray light observed by Chandra. The images show not only the details of the grand design spiral structure for which the galaxy is famous, but also the underlying giant clouds where stars are born, as well as the hidden locations of black holes and exploded stars. These multi-wavelength views provide both stunning beauty and a wealth of scientific information not even dreamed of by Galileo.

Another 3-foot-by-3-foot image of Messier 101 combines the views from all three telescopes into an amazing composite. It’s like seeing with your eyes, night vision goggles, and X-ray vision all at once!

Additional information about the Hubble Space Telescope is available at http://hubblesite.org/. Additional information about the Spitzer Space Telescope is available at http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/. Additional information about the Chandra X-ray Observatory is available at http://chandra.harvard.edu/.

The new images will be on display through 2009. The Watson-King Planetarium is located at Smith Hall, room 521. It is open monthly from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. the third Friday of the month, and also by request (e-mail astorrs@towson.edu). For more information, call Professor Storrs, x43003.