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NICMOS Back in Action
Thanks to the NCS, NICMOS was able to take an image of
the Cone Nebula. |
A Galaxy on Edge
Images taken by NICMOS are compared to an image taken
by an instrument that works in the visible spectrum. |
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Summary
After
more than three years of inactivity, the Near Infrared
Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) reopened
its "near-infrared eyes" on the universe, snapping
several breathtaking views, from the craggy interior
of a star-forming cloud to a revealing look at the
heart of an edge-on galaxy. The camera's penetrating
vision sliced through the edge-on dusty disk of
a galaxy much like our Milky Way to peer all the
way into the galaxy's core. The first new images
were released on June 5, 2002.
The proof was in the pictures. The NICMOS Cooling
System and the novel technologies it contained was
a resounding success.
In addition to providing renewed life to NICMOS,
the NCS serves as a technological pathfinder for
future NASA programs. These include the Terrestrial
Planet Finder, Constellation-X, and the James Webb
Space Telescope which will require the capability
to cool detectors and associated components to temperatures
as low as 6 K (-448 �F) for extended periods.
An unusual challenge was presented to the Hubble
Project team, but through a bit of ingenuity, dedication,
and teamwork, the team had shown time and again
that solutions can always be found.
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The
Cone Nebuala - zooming in up close. |
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The
NGC 4013 galaxy as viewed through different
spectrums. |
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Judy Gibbon talks about receiving the first
pictures from the revived NICMOS instrument. |
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