The National Aeronautic and Space Agency (NASA) has invited the public to vote for one of six candidate astronomy-related objects for the Hubble Telescope to observe in honor of the International Year of Astronomy-2009.
The options, which Hubble has not previously photographed, range from far-flung galaxies to dying stars. Votes can be cast until March 1.
Hubble''s camera will make a high-resolution image revealing new details about the object that receives the most votes. The image will be released during the International Year of Astronomy''s "100 Hours of Astronomy" from April 2 to 5.
Space enthusiasts can cast their vote at: http://YouDecide.Hubblesite.org
Everyone who votes also will be entered into a random drawing to receive one of 100 copies of the Hubble photograph made of the winning celestial body.
NASA has also invited teachers and students to participate in an accompanying Hubble Space Telescope classroom collage activity that integrates art, science and language arts.
Students in participating classes will select their favorite Hubble images and assemble them in a collage. Students in each class also will choose their favorite object from the image-voting contest and write essays about why they made their selections.
The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, was designed so that astronauts could repair it in space.
The next servicing mission to the telescope is targeted to launch on space shuttle Atlantis on 12th May, 2009. Mission objectives include extending Hubble''s operational life by five years, repairing its out-of-commission instruments and enhancing its scientific power.
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