Happy Sweet 16 to the Hubble Space Telescope

NASA and the European Space Agency are celebrating the Hubble Space Telescope's 16th birthday with the release of this trés fabu photograph of a starburst. Photo in the News: Hubble Marks Sweet 16 With Starburst

April 24, 2006—This is one sweet 16 that calls for more than just a first driver's license photo.

NASA and the European Space Agency today marked the 16th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope by releasing a brilliant new image captured by the orbiting observer.

The composite picture, taken last month, depicts the starburst galaxy Messier 82, a hothouse of rapidly forming stars some 12 million light-years away. The image features the long blue disk of the galaxy's core laced with fiery tendrils of hydrogen gas (shown in red). The image is the sharpest wide-angle view ever obtained of the galaxy.

Interstellar eye candy like this has been part of Hubble's stock in trade over the past 16 years, but the telescope has much more to show for its service than an album of cool images.

Since it was launched into space on April 24, 1990, the Hubble has contributed to some significant astronomical studies, from measuring the effects of mysterious dark matter to helping scientists determine the age of the universe itself.

NASA has tentatively cancelled missions to maintain the Hubble, citing safety concerns for astronauts after the destruction of the space shuttle Columbia in 2003.

If Hubble goes dark, it will be 2013 before its replacement is up. That's not just stupid, it's criminal.