• MHCC Planetarium Preview: Hubble Insights and Discoveries That Have Changed Astronomy

    The Hubble Space Telescope has been one of the most successful scientific instruments in history, and its pictures have dramatically changed our understanding of how the universe works. Hubble’s discoveries include showing us how stars are born and die and how fast the universe is expanding. And, by taking a 10-day image of what was considered an “empty sky,” the telescope found thousands of galaxies, some of them as old as the beginning of time.

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    Hubble recently imaged the most distant galaxy known so far.
    This very young galaxy is far smaller than our Milky Way galaxy
    yet has a star formation rate that is about 20 times
    faster than it is in our galaxy

    This April, Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Director Pat Hanrahan will explore these and other incredible findings of the Hubble Space Telescope in his “Hubble Insights and Discoveries That Have Changed Astronomy” at the MHCC Planetarium Sky Theater. During the show, Hanrahan will display some of the best and most recent images from the Hubble Telescope and Hubble archives, and he will discuss the meaning and importance of each image.

    All shows are presented under a realistic representation of the night sky, featuring the latest galactic, stellar and planetary images. Children are welcome (and encouraged) to attend, and visitors are encouraged to ask questions during the 45-minute live program. Admission is only $5. MHCC students (with valid IDs) and children under 18 are $2.

    Campus parking is free and no permit is required. The planetarium is wheelchair accessible.

    The MHCC Planetarium Sky Theater is located beneath the library, on the Gresham campus, at 26000 SE Stark St. Individuals requiring accommodations due to a disability may contact the MHCC Disability Services Office at 503-491-6923 or 503-491-7670 (TDD).

    Only three more planetarium programs are scheduled for this season (April, May and June). More information about the planetarium, including details about private Friday showings for schools, clubs and senior groups, is available at mhcc.edu/planetarium.

    Hubble Insights and Discoveries That Have Changed Astronomy:

    • April 4, 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
    • April 14, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

    Black Holes, Pulsars, and Gravity Waves (Oh My!) with guest speaker Will Blackmore: May 2 and 12

    This Summer's Rare Total Solar Eclipse: June 6 and 9

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    Hubble spotted this galaxy collision within the Hercules Constellation. Here two spiral constellations have collided and will eventually merge to form a single galaxy