HUT in orbit | |
| Start of mission | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 2 December 1990, 06:49:00 (1990-12-02UTC06:49Z) UTC |
| Rocket | STS-35/STS-67 |
| Launch site | Kennedy Space Center |
| Deployed from | Space Shuttle Columbia STS-35/Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-67 |
| Main Ultraviolet Telescope | |
| Diameter | 90 cm (35 in) |
TheHopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) was a space telescope designed to makespectroscopic observations in thefar-ultraviolet region of theelectromagnetic spectrum. It was flown into orbit on theSpace Shuttle and operated from the Shuttle's payload bay on two occasions: in December 1990, as part of Shuttle missionSTS-35, and in March 1995, as part of missionSTS-67.[1]
HUT was designed and built by a team based atJohns Hopkins University, led by Arthur Davidsen.[2][3] The telescope consisted of a 90 cm main mirror used to focus ultraviolet light onto a spectrograph situated at theprime focus. This instrument had a spectroscopic range of 82.5 to 185nms, and a spectral resolution of about 0.3 nm.[2]It weighed 789 kilograms (1736 pounds).[2]
HUT was used to observe a wide range of astrophysical sources, includingsupernova remnants,active galactic nuclei,cataclysmic variable stars, as well as various planets in theSolar System.[4] During the 1990 flight, HUT was used to make 106 observations of 77 astronomical targets. During the 1995 flight, 385 observations were made of 265 targets.[5]
HUT was co-mounted withWUPPE, Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope [UIT], andBBXRT on theAstro-1 mission (1990) and with just WUPPE and UIT onAstro-2 (in 1995).[6]
As of January 2023, HUT is now in storage at the SmithsonianNational Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. in the United States.[7]