As the crew replaces and repairs Hubble equipment, including decomissioning the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) before installing the newer, more sophisticated camera and imaging equipment, Hubble sent one last "farewell" shot from the old camera.

Planetary Nebula PN K 4-55 is in the constellation Cygnus. The K in the name is in honor of the Nebula's first known observer, Czech astronomer Lubos Kohoutek. planetary nebulae contain within them the outer layers of a dying red giant star that, with its last gasps of energy, expelled matter into space. Ultraviolet radiation, still trapped within the remnants of the ancient star's hot core still ionizes the shells of ejected gasses and dust, making them glow. In this instance, we can see several shells, layering upon and around each other. A very bright inner ring is surrounded by a double structure with two "poles," and then the entire structure is surrounded by the red halo of nitrogen gas. It's not a structure that we've found in many planetary nebulae, but it is a lovely "parting shot" from the old Hubble camera. The image was taken on May 4, 2009, and is the end of an incredible sixteen year era, one that lasted much longer than expected, as the Hubble kept having it's life extended by technical ingenuity. The current camera is the second one to be installed. The new camera is expected to provide even more data and astounding images, in greater detail and at a greater distance.

Astronauts are right now performing repairs and upgrades. Astronauts Mike Good and Mike Massimino are currently in the middle of the second of five spacewalks required by the Hubble service mission, the last of the a series of four missions. All six of the telescope's gyroscopes have been replaced. You can follow on the progress, including live video, here.

I wish them good luck and godspeed on their safe journey home.

(WFPC2) before installing the newer, more sophisticated camera and imaging equipment, Hubble sent one last "farewell" shot from the old camera. Planetary Nebula PN K 4-55 is in the constellation Cygnus. The K in the name is in honor of the Nebula's first known observer, Czech astronomer Lubos Kohoutek. planetary nebulae contain within them the outer layers of a dying red giant star that, with its last gasps of energy, expelled matter into space. Ultraviolet radiation, still trapped within the remnants of the ancient star's hot core still ionizes the shells of ejected gasses and dust, making them glow. In this instance, we can see several shells, layering upon and around each other. A very bright inner ring is surrounded by a double structure with two "poles," and then the entire structure is surrounded by the red halo of nitrogen gas. It's not a structure that we've found in many planetary nebulae, but it is a lovely "parting shot" from the old Hubble camera. The image was taken on May 4, 2009, and is the end of an incredible sixteen year era, one that lasted much longer than expected, as the Hubble kept having it's life extended by technical ingenuity. The current camera is the second one to be installed. The new camera is expected to provide even more data and astounding images, in greater detail and at a greater distance. Astronauts are right now performing repairs and upgrades. Astronauts Mike Good and Mike Massimino are currently in the middle of the second of five spacewalks required by the Hubble service mission, the last of the a series of four missions. All six of the telescope's gyroscopes have been replaced. You can follow on the progress, including live video, here. I wish them good luck and godspeed on their safe journey home.