Edward Weiler: "Hubble: A Journey Through Space and Time" (Abrams)
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-04-21/edward-weiler-hubble-journey-through-space-and-time-abrams
Images of Spiral Galaxy M100 before and after Hubble's first servicing mission
Courtesy of HubbleSite
Twenty years ago NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope. The lead astrophysicist on the history of the Hubble, how it has forever changed our view of the universe and why he believes there's life beyond Earth.
Guests
Edward Weiler
an astrophysicist and leading scientist at NASA. He served as chief scientist of the Hubble Space Telescope from 1979-1998. Currently he is the associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. He is the author of "Hubble: A Journey Through Space and Time."
Comments
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Where are the rest of the photos? Diane mentioned many are at the website.
Years ago, I heard on NPR, a discussion about the Triana project - as I recall, a deep space telescope that would be pointed at the Earth. What ever happened with this project. Thank you!
Hi lancekoz - if you click on the "More Hubble Images on HubbleSite" link under the heading "Related Links," it will take you to the site with the images.
Thank you for your work! People don't say thank you enough!!
Thank you for this fabulous show. The science and images of Hubble have done far more than inspire a new generation of students dedicated to the study of science. It also has inspired artists and philosophers, musicians and poets. It teaches about opening and expanding vision, the kind of discovery that can only happen by stepping willingly up to the edge of what is known and saying: is there anything else? It is as much about creative thought as it is about science. As such, to inspire the study and practice of creativity in our students, through the arts, is vital to the development of our society. Please lets not narrow our sites to think only of inspiring the study of "science".
I love your show it is very informative and interesting! I have always loved anything about space! I agree with your guest that you have to be extremely ignorant to think that there is no possibility of life elsewhere. Space is infinite! There is so much more to learn out there that religion interferes with and history can attest to that in numerous ways. Why is religion always brought up when talking about life elsewhere? Just open your minds! I do hope that we can get a man or woman out to Mars one day. What an accomplishment! Thank you for this wonderful show today :)
Contrary to Mr. Weiler's interpretation of HST data and implications for God's existence and the evolution of the universe and life, i think HST proves the existence of God more than any other science experiment ever conducted.
It drastically improves the precision of Edwin Hubble's preliminary ground telescope results showing the expansion of the universe. Astronomers can now use HST data to pinpoint the universe age to within a couple hundred million years.
Einstein's general theory of relativity can be reduced to prove the universe indeed had a beginning (Stephen Hawking's work) and there is no physical explanation for this beginning (The Ultimate Singularity) where all of spacetime and matter was condensed into a tiny sphere of energy where all the laws of physics and science as we understand them break down.
There is no other explanation for this except God.
Weiler places the value for the future of the Hubble and the next generation of orbiting telescopes to be that of the knowledge that is derived from observations of space. Thus, he makes the point that for future students these telescopes will be instrumental in bringing the gift of knowledge. His projection lies however, in the context of past technology; despite his status as a scientist, he is unaware of current advances in both education and thereby of the scientific means of gaining knowledge. As seen to be usually the case in the past, a global advancement as the result of new knowledge and technology lies far beyond what could have been conceptualized from that past. Consider our current means of locating and observing space; yet we know from science that both the inter and intra atomic realm is proportionately as much space as is intergalactic space: within and all around us. Advancement in knowledge will be in the instrument of the observer. The availability of a proven, fully effective approach, combined with pressure from current critical needs in education, is pushing toward the utilization of a consciousness based education. As incomprehensible as it may sound, with this advancement, boundaries dimensions of time and space that are the reality of the waking state of consciousness will cease to be neither a necessity, nor a barrier to gaining knowledge. Students will soon be establishing themselves as knowers of reality by locating within themselves the most silent, integrated level of all the laws of the universe. Telescopes will be interesting relics from the age of ignorance, and will be used for fun to play with what is already known.
First of all God is the creator of life and of this universe. But the truth of the matter is we will never live on mars or the moon or any other planet. But if you want to explore space then do so with private funding. I don't want my tax dollars wasted on something like this. We have people out of work and a whole host of other problems. And you want to waste my money just to find out that the big bang is just a lie made up by junk science. I can already tell you where we and our universe came from DUH God created it. But all this aside if you want to still explore space then let the private sector foot the bill not me. Take that millions of dollars you are going to waste and put it to good use. Most of all the bridges in this country are in bad shape according to the Government. Or take all that money and paying off the the homes of the middle class. That will get the economy going.
I love your show and I especially enjoyed your guest today. I have always found the study of space fascinating and it makes me very happy to know there are thinkers such as Mr. Weiler that give their lives to science. I very much enjoyed listening to him talk about what we know about our universe and what we may find out in the foreseeable future. It is truly fascinating and I feel so fortunate knowing that people like Mr. Weiler are in charge of the direction of the future of science. One of the earlier comments mentioned that such research should be funded by private dollars. I strongly object and would like to kindly point out that our tax dollars pay for many religious activities in this country (donations by individuals can be a tax write off, Religious organizations are tax exempt...) and this should be balanced out by money also going towards various scientific research. How can one possibly listen to Mr. Weiler and not find him incredibly intelligent. I want people such as this gentleman to have access to enough of our tax dollars so that they can continue their quest to find answers for us....Thank you.
The pictures are fantastic. Just proves how great my God is who created both the Heavens and the earth and life as we know it. WE give Him all the honor and praise.
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