TEXT 2. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

Help yourself and others will help you.

I. Warm-up activities

1.1. Pronounce the words properly:

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST); a Space Shuttle; Earth orbit; the Large Space Telescope; Milky Way; the United States space agency NASA; the European Space Agency; the Space Telescope Science Institute; the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory; the Chandra
X-ray Observatory; the Spitzer Space Telescope; the Andromeda galaxy;
the Big Bang; a Cepheid variable; the Magellanic Clouds; Andromeda Galaxy; Jupiter; Saturn; Pluto; Shoemaker-Levy; the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

1.2. Match the columns:

1.extremely high-resolution images	1. важное научно-исследовательское оборудование
2.background light	2. многофункциональный
3. a scientific successor	3. возможности телескопа
4.the rate of expansion of the universe	4. скорость расширения Вселенной
5.a vital research tool	5. изображения с очень высоким разрешением
6. public relations boon	6.находка для рекламы
7.versatile	7. фоновое излучение
8.the telescope’s capabilities	8. научный преемник
9.a servicing mission	9. удаленные объекты
10.remote objects	10. кажущиеся пустыми участки неба
11.a seemingly-empty patch of sky	11. полёт для обслуживания на орбите
12.a deep view into space and time	12. облака пыли
13.the clouds of dust	13. глубокий взгляд в межпланетное пространство и время
14.a proposed launch	14. запланировать
15. to carry into orbit	15. выводить на орбиту
16.to circle the planet	16. делать что-либо подобное
17.in honour of smb.	17. вращаться вокруг планеты
18.to make smth. similar	18. в честь кого-л.
19. to schedule	18. обоснование для остановки работ при нарушении техники безопасности
20.safety grounds	20. предполагаемый запуск

 

1.3. Match the words with their definitions:

1.distortion	1. all existing matter and space considered as a whole
2.the universe	2. the action of giving a misleading account or impression
3.accurately	3. sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development
4. breakthrough	4. in a way that is correct in all details; exactly
5.to gauge	5. (of a star, planet, or other celestial body) bring (a less massive body) permanently within its gravitational influence
6.to capture	6. to estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of.
7.to reveal	7. an instance of one moving object or person striking violently against another
8.collision	8. to make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others
9.to elevate	9. look with difficulty or concentration at someone or something
10.to peer	10. to raise or lift (something) to a higher position

 

II. Reading

 

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a Space Shuttle in 1990 and remains in operation.
A 2.4-meter (7.9 ft) aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble’s four main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectra. The Large Space Telescope was renamed the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in honour of Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer who, among other things, determined that the universe extended beyond the borders of Milky Way.

Hubble’s orbit outside the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images with almost no background light. Hubble’s Deep Field has recorded some of the most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing a deep view into space and time. Many Hubble observations have led to breakthroughs in astrophysics, such as accurately determining the rate of expansion of the universe.

Although not the first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. The HST was built by the United States space agency NASA, with contributions from the European Space Agency, and is operated by the Space Telescope Science Institute. The HST is one of NASA’s Great Observatories, along with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space
Telescope.

Space telescopes were proposed as early as 1923. Hubble was funded in the 1970s, with a proposed launch in 1983, but the project was beset by technical delays, budget problems, and the Challenger disaster. When
finally launched in 1990, Hubble’s main mirror was found to have been ground incorrectly, compromising the telescope’s capabilities. The optics were corrected to their intended quality by a servicing mission in 1993.

The Hubble Space Telescope’s elevated perspective and advanced optics allow it to peer farther away than previous ground-based optics are able to see. Because light takes time to travel long distances, the range of the HST makes it function similar to a time machine; the light from remote objects only reveals how that object appeared when the light left it, not how it appears today. Thus when we look at the Andromeda galaxy, 2.5 million light-years from Earth, we see it as it was 2.5 million years ago.

When astronomers pointed the HST to a seemingly-empty patch of sky, for instance, they captured an image of over 3,000 galaxies too distant to be detected by other telescopes. Some of the galaxies were so young, they had not yet begun serious star formation. Other deep field observations have since been taken, providing a wealth of information.

In addition to gazing at the early universe, Hubble also helped astronomers gauge how much time had passed since the Big Bang. By measuring a special kind of pulsing star known as a Cepheid variable, they were able to narrow down the age of the universe from its pre-HST range of 10 to 20 billion years to a more precise 13.7 billion years.

In addition to galaxies, the Hubble Space Telescope also examines individual stars in various stages of their evolution – from the clouds of dust that form infant stars to the corpses of those long since detonated, and those in between. It has even been able to peer outside of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and into its neighbours, the Magellanic Clouds and Andromeda Galaxy.

The Hubble Space Telescope may spend much of its time peering light-years from Earth, but on occasion it takes the time to photograph the planets travelling around our sun. High resolution images taken of Jupiter, Saturn, and even Pluto can provide insights that can only be topped by planetary probes circling the planets. Images from the HST allow scientists on Earth to monitor changes in the planet’s atmosphere and surface. When the comet Shoemaker-Levy crashed into the Jupiter in 1994, the Hubble Space Telescope photographed the fatal collision. The aftermath revealed
a great deal about the gas giant’s atmosphere.

In orbit for more than two decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided scientists with a greater understanding of the planets, galaxy, and the whole universe.

Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts. Between 1993 and 2002, four Space Shuttle missions repaired,
upgraded, and replaced systems on the telescope; a fifth mission was canceled on safety grounds following the Columbia disaster. However, after spirited public discussion, NASA administrator Mike Griffin approved one final servicing mission, completed in 2009. The telescope is now expected to function until at least 2014, and possibly 2020. Its scientific successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is currently scheduled to be launched in 2018.

 

III. Comprehension check

3.1. Answer the following questions:

1. What is this text about?

2. What is the Hubble Space Telescope?

3. The Large Space Telescope was renamed the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in honour of Edwin Hubble, wasn’t it?

4. What did Edwin Hubble determine?

5. Has Hubble’s Deep Field recorded some of the most detailed
visible-light images?

6. When were space telescopes proposed?

7. When was Hubble funded?

8. What did Hubble help astronomers gauge?

9. The Hubble Space Telescope also examines individual stars in various stages of their evolution, doesn’t it?

10. Is Hubble the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts?

11. What is scientific successor of Hubble?

12. When it is scheduled to be launched?

3.2. Decide whether these statements are true, false or information is not available:

1. A 2.4-meter (7.9 ft) aperture telescope in high Earth orbit, Hubble's two main instruments observe in the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared spectra.

2. The Large Space Telescope was renamed the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in honour of Mike Griffin.

3. Hubble’s Deep Field has recorded some of the most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing a deep view into space and time.

4. Hubble is one of the smallest and least versatile, and is well known as both a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy.

5. The HST was built by the Russian Space Agency.

6. Because light takes time to travel long distances, the range of the HST makes it function similar to a time machine.

7. When astronomers pointed the HST to a seemingly-empty patch of sky, for instance, they captured an image of over 5,000 galaxies too distant to be detected by other telescopes.

8. The Hubble Space Telescope also examines individual stars in various stages of their evolution.

9. It takes the time to photograph the planets travelling around our sun. 

10.The Hubble Space Telescope photographed many collisions of comets and planets.

11. The telescope is now expected to function until at least 2014, and possibly 2040.

12. The James Webb Space Telescope is the project of NASA.

IV. Grammar in Focus

4.1. Translate the sentences into the Russian. State the type of the Clauses:

1. Why he did not come is still not known.

2. What’s worrying me now is the state of her health.

3. Whether he’ll agree is another question.

4. The trouble is that we’ve got very little time.

5. That’s what I want to tell you.

6. He uses new programs which he usually downloads on the Internet.

7. Do you remember where he lives?

8. I can’t understand what you are laughing at.

9. They said that they did all the tasks.

10. I don’t know when he will come.

4.2. Read and analyze the sentences with the Object Clause:

1. The young engineer is not quite sure what he should do with this new device.

2. The majority of the searchers don’t know who allows to carry on such dangerous experiments. 

3. The head engineer doesn’t know when the new equipment will be delivered.

4. You may rely on it that I will give you a full account.

5. I think we will complete our project in time. 

6. It was remarked that the clock began to strike, and I began to cry simultaneously.

7. I am not sure whether he will take part in this conference. 

8. Are you aware that your time is nearly up?

9. Mary phones us every day and says she intends coming on Saturday.

10. Everybody knows that one must study hard to master foreign languages.

4.3.* Translate the sentences with the Attribute Clause. Fill in the
suitable connecting words:

1. My youngest daughter ... was born in the south, cannot bear the northern climate.

2. All ... is written here is true.

3. The river … flows through London is called the Thames.

4. The buildings and the people ... we saw abroad seemed so strange.

5. This, it not such an answer ... we expected.

6. This is not the same road ... we passed an hour ago.

7. Is this the best room … you can offer me?

8. I enjoy walking in the old part ... still surrounds the former manor-house used as a school-building now.

9. The dog frightens all ... come near the house.

10. We have now exhausted all ... can be got in the library.

11. The space ... she had been standing was empty. 

12. He’s always talking about that railroad ... he works.

V. Speaking

5.1. Speak about:

1. Your own opinion about the possibilities of the international scientific projects.

2. The use of some international scientific projects in our daily life.

5.2. Discuss these questions with your partner:

1. Do you know any interesting facts about other international scientific projects? Share this information with your partner.

2. What features of character must any scientist have in order to take part in the development of the international scientific projects?

3. Pros and cons of the scientific projects.

5.5*. Make presentations about the most notable international scientific projects. Use tips given in the appendix 1.

VI. LISTENING

6.1. Listen to the text A Visitor from Space on http://www.esl-lab.com

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