NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has successfully resumed operations and captured its first new images after switching to an alternate operating mode that uses one gyroscope (gyro). The spacecraft returned to science operations on June 14, following several weeks offline due to an issue with one of its gyros, which are essential for controlling and orienting the telescope.
The newly captured image showcases NGC 1546, a nearby galaxy located in the constellation Dorado. The galaxy’s orientation offers a striking view of its dust lanes, which are illuminated and backlit by the core of the galaxy. The dust absorbs light from the core, giving it a rusty-brown hue, while the core itself shines brightly with a yellowish light indicative of an older star population. Regions of active star formation, characterized by a brilliant blue color, are visible through the dust. Additionally, several background galaxies can be seen, including an edge-on spiral just to the left of NGC 1546.
Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 captured this image as part of a collaborative observing program with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This program also incorporates data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), providing scientists with a highly detailed, multiwavelength view of star formation and evolution.
This image is one of the first observations taken with Hubble since transitioning to the new pointing mode, which promises more stable and consistent science operations. NASA expects that Hubble can conduct most of its science observations in this mode, continuing its groundbreaking study of the cosmos.
Hubble’s new image of a spectacular galaxy demonstrates the full success of our new, more stable pointing mode for the telescope,” said Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, senior project scientist for Hubble at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “We’re poised now for many years of discovery ahead, and we’ll be looking at everything from our solar system to exoplanets to distant galaxies. Hubble plays a powerful role in NASA’s astronomical toolkit.