Explanation:
Fifteen years ago, in December of 1990, the Space Shuttle
Orbiter Columbia carried an array
of astronomical telescopes
high above the Earth's obscuring atmosphere to explore the
Universe at ultraviolet and
x-ray wavelengths.
The telescopes, known by the acronyms
UIT,
HUT,
WUPPE, and
BBXRT,
are seen here in Columbia's payload bay against a
spectacular view of the constellation
Orion.
The ultraviolet telescopes
were mounted on a common structure - HUT is visible in this view along with
a star tracker (the silver cone at the left).
Taken during the nighttime portion
of the shuttle's 90 minute orbit, the picture shows the
telescopes and structures illuminated by
moonlight.
