The Hubble Space Telescope has been turned off for the third time in a month after it gave false readings.
Nasa put the space observatory into safe mode, which is when all non-essential systems of a satellite are turned off to prevent any further malfunctions, on November 19, 21 and 23.
Hubble has been operating since 1990 and has made numerous discoveries, including other galaxies, two moons that orbit Pluto and nebulas – clouds of gas or dust.
“Nasa is working to resume science operations of the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope after it entered safe mode on November 23 due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue,” the US space agency said.
“Hubble’s instruments are stable, and the telescope is in good health.
“The telescope automatically entered safe mode when one of its three gyroscopes gave faulty readings.”
The gyroscope measures the telescope's orientation. It is part of the same system that helps to record the turn rate.
Nasa said Hubble's operations are suspended while in safe mode.
“The team is now running tests to characterise the issue and develop solutions,” the US space agency said.
“If necessary, the spacecraft can be reconfigured to operate with only one gyro.”
The spacecraft had six new gyros installed during the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission in 2009.
To date, three of those gyros remain operational, including the gyro currently experiencing fluctuations.
“Hubble uses three gyros to maximise efficiency, but could continue to make science observations with only one gyro if required,” said Nasa.
It was estimated that Hubble's lifespan would last only 15 years when it launched, but it exceeded expectations as it continues to make landmark discoveries.
A more advanced observatory – the James Webb Space Telescope – was launched in 2021 by Nasa, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
It is 100 times more powerful than Hubble and can see much further into space to spot galaxies and stars that were formed shortly after the Big Bang.
The $10 billion “time machine” has already made stunning discoveries, including some of the oldest galaxies ever found and features of astronomical events that could help scientists better understand the universe.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Read more about the coronavirus
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')
Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
