AP Photo 14 hours ago

This image provided by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009 shows hundreds of brilliant blue stars wreathed by warm, glowing clouds. The festive portrait is the most detailed view of the largest stellar nursery in our local galactic neighborhood.

AP Photo 1 week ago

This recent photo provided by NASA and the European Space Agency, and captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, shows the deepest image of the universe ever taken in near-infrared light.

AP Photo 2 weeks ago

This image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and provided by NASA shows a close-up of an area in the northwest region of the large Iris Nebula seems to be clogged with cosmic dust.

AP Photo 3 weeks ago

This image provided by NASA Monday Nov. 23, 2009 shows the Crab Nebula that is one of the most studied objects in the sky, making it a cosmic icon.

AP Photo 4 weeks ago

"Moving Beyond Earth," a new exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, that features two new items from the Hubble Space Telescope, is seen at the museum in Washington, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.

AP Photo 4 weeks ago

"Moving Beyond Earth," a new exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, that features two new items from the Hubble Space Telescope, is seen at the museum in Washington, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.

AP Photo 4 weeks ago

"Costar," a detail of which is seen here, was used to correct focus in the Hubble Space Telescope, and is one of two new pieces from Hubble displayed in "Moving Beyond Earth," a new exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, is seen at the museum in Washington, on Wednesday, Nov. 18,...

AP Photo 1 month ago

This image provided by NASA Tuesday Nov. 11, 2009 shows observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory in a collaboration to produce an unprecedented image of the central region of our Milky Way galaxy using infrared light an...

Getty Images 3 months ago

IN SPACE - JULY/AUGUST 2009: In this composite image provided by NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team, Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92) in the Pegasus constellation is pictured in Space.

Getty Images 3 months ago

IN SPACE - JUNE/JULY 2009: In this composite image provided by NASA, the Barred Spiral Galaxy (NGC 6217) in the Ursa Minor constellation is pictured in Space. Today, September 9, 2009, NASA released the first images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope since its repair in the spring.

Getty Images 3 months ago

IN SPACE - JULY 23: In this image provided by NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team, the planet Jupiter is pictured July 23, 2009 in Space. Today, September 9, 2009, NASA released the first images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope since its repair in the spring.

Getty Images 3 months ago

IN SPACE - JULY 27: In this image provided by NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team, a planetary nebula named NGC 6302, also known as, Butterfly Nebula and Bug Nebula, in the Scorpius constellation is pictured July 27, 2009 in Space.

AP Photo 4 months ago

Harlem Globetrotters mascot Globie parachutes on to the grounds of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. to deliver the team ball that was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis during its mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in May.

AP Photo 6 months ago

Carried aboard a NASA 747, the space shuttle Atlantis begins its takeoff roll as it departs the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. , enroute to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning the last leg of STS-125, its mission to repair the Hubble spa...

AP Photo 6 months ago

A crew member makes a preflight inspection of a NASA 747 carrying the space shuttle Atlantis as it prepares to depart the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. , enroute to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning the last leg of STS-125, its mission...

AP Photo 6 months ago

Before sunrise, crew members prepare a NASA 747 with the space shuttle Atlantis as it prepares to depart the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. , enroute to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning the last leg of STS-125, its mission to repair th...

AP Photo 6 months ago

Seen through shimmering desert heat, the space shuttle Atlantis is framed by a pair of Joshua trees after it touched down at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. , at the conclusion of mission STS-125 to repair the Hubble space telescope, Sunday, May...

AP Photo 6 months ago

The space shuttle Atlantis drag chute deploys as it touches down at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. , at the conclusion of mission STS-125 to repair the Hubble space telescope, Sunday, May 24, 2009.

AP Photo 6 months ago

In this image from NASA TV and with a model of the Hubble Space Telescope floating in the foreground, the crew of the Shuttle Atlantis wave after testifying from space to a Senate committee hearing, Thursday, May 21, 2009. Front from left, Gregory Johnson, Scott Altman and Megan McArthur.

Getty Images 6 months ago

US President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, while on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, May 20, 2009.

AP Photo 7 months ago

This image provided by NASA shows the Hubble Space Telescope after it's release from the Space Shuttle Atlantis Tuesday May 19, 2009 as the two spacecraft continue their relative separation after having been linked together for the better part of a week.

AP Photo 7 months ago

In this Tuesday, May 19, 2009 photo released by NASA, the Space Shuttle Atlantis' remote manipulator system arm lifts the Hubble Space Telescope from the cargo bay before releasing the orbital observatory to start it on its way back home to observe the universe.

AP Photo 7 months ago

In this Tuesday, May 19, 2009 photo released by NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope is seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft continue their relative separation, after having been linked together for the better part of a week.

AP Photo 7 months ago

In this photo provided by NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope is shown prior to its release Tuesday May, 19, 2009. A rejuvenated Hubble Space Telescope, more powerful than ever, departed the space shuttle Tuesday and sailed off for new discoveries.

AP Photo 7 months ago

In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut John Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist, positioned on a foot restraint on the end of Atlantis' remote manipulator system (RMS), participates in the mission's fifth and final session of extravehicular activity (EVA) to refurbish and upgrade t...