After Hours

Images from the Kepler, Chandra, Hubble, and Spitzer space telescopes

By // April 5, 2011, 9:15 AM PST // HuTerra

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  • Kepler's Supernova

    The mission of NASA's Kepler Space Telescope research program sounds simple: to explore the Milky Way galaxy and find other habitable planets. In some ways, it's the real version of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s mission -- to find new worlds and seek out new life, or at least a place we can move once we’ve outgrown the blue planet. Read my Geekend post, NASA's Kepler Space Telescope searches for habitable planets, for details about some of the Kepler Space Telescope's recent findings.

    This gallery features images from the Kepler Space Telescope, as well as images from other space telescopes -- specifically, Chandra, Hubble, and Spitzer -- that offer valuable insight into the Kepler research project's objective.

    "Kepler’s Supernova" was viewed by astrologist Johannes Kepler on October 9, 1604. NASA was able to study the remnants of this supernova using optical, infrared, and x-ray light.

    Image credit: NASA

  • A closer look at Kepler’s Supernova

    A closer look at Kepler’s Supernova, images taken by the Chandra, Hubble, and Spitzer telescopes.

    Image credit: NASA

  • Kepler Space Telescope’s field of view of the Milky Way

    The Kepler Space Telescope’s field of view of the Milky Way galaxy superimposed over the night sky from Earth.

    Image credit: NASA

  • Kepler’s full field of view

    Kepler’s full field of view.

    Image credit: NASA

  • TrES-2

    TrES-2 is a planet that orbits a star every 2.5 days.

    Image credit: NASA

  • NGC 6791

    The star cluster NGC 6791.

    Image credit: NASA

  • The center of the Milky Way galaxy

    The center of the Milky Way galaxy, taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope.

    Image credit: NASA

  • A spiral galaxy hidden behind the Milky Way

    The Hubble Space Telescope found a spiral galaxy hidden behind the Milky Way.

    Image credit: NASA

  • A tidal disruption in the Milky Way

    The Chandra Space Telescope found a tidal disruption in our galaxy.

    Image credit: NASA

  • The Milky Way, an illustrated map

    An illustrated map of the Milky Way with important landmarks.

    Image credit: NASA

  • An astrological “snake"

    Take a look at the astrological “snake” in the upper left corner of this infrared image taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope. NASA scientists believe the belly of this “snake” holds forming planets and stars.

    Image credit: NASA

  • Whirlpool Galaxy M51

    What happens when you take an X-ray of the galaxy? The Chandra Space Telescope took this ultraviolet picture of the Whirlpool Galaxy M51.

    Image credit: NASA

  • Magellanic Cloud

    This image of the Magellanic Cloud, taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope, shows the Milky Way’s satellite galaxy.

    Image credit: NASA

  • Star cluster

    This enormous star cluster, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, was finally found to be the source of gamma ray and X-ray explosions.

    Image credit: NASA

Kepler's Supernova

The mission of NASA's Kepler Space Telescope research program sounds simple: to explore the Milky Way galaxy and find other habitable planets. In some ways, it's the real version of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s mission -- to find new worlds and seek out new life, or at least a place we can move once we’ve outgrown the blue planet. Read my Geekend post, NASA's Kepler Space Telescope searches for habitable planets, for details about some of the Kepler Space Telescope's recent findings.

This gallery features images from the Kepler Space Telescope, as well as images from other space telescopes -- specifically, Chandra, Hubble, and Spitzer -- that offer valuable insight into the Kepler research project's objective.

"Kepler’s Supernova" was viewed by astrologist Johannes Kepler on October 9, 1604. NASA was able to study the remnants of this supernova using optical, infrared, and x-ray light.

Image credit: NASA

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By Nicole Nash

Nicole Bremer Nash is Director of Content and Social Media for HuTerra, where she uses SEO and social media to promote charitable organizations in their community-building and fundraising efforts. She enjoys volunteering, arts and crafts, and conduct...