HST to HST10X: a second revolution in space science

Holland C. Ford; James Roger P. Angel; Christopher J. Burrows; Jon A. Morse; John T. Trauger; Donald A. Dufford

doi:10.1117/12.394041

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28 July 2000 HST to HST10X: a second revolution in space science

Holland C. Ford, James Roger P. Angel, Christopher J. Burrows, Jon A. Morse, John T. Trauger, Donald A. Dufford

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Proceedings Volume 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394041
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The Hubble Space Telescope is arguably one of the most important and successful scientific endeavors undertaken in the twentieth century. Hubble, a modest-sized 2.4-m telescope, outperforms much larger terrestrial telescopes because it is diffraction limited, and because the sky seen from orbit is darker than the terrestrial night sky. If we increase the diameter of Hubble to 8.4-m, a diameter comparable to Keck and the VLT, the increase in capability will be comparable to that which was first achieved by Hubble's launch and subsequent repair. HST10X will allow a fast track solution of outstanding problems in astronomy. Perhaps foremost among these is the detection of earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars. HST10X can detect earth-like planets around stars at distances up to 10 parsecs. Furthermore, HST10X will enable spectroscopic examination of earth-like planets to search for atmospheric oxygen, a certain sign of life.

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Holland C. Ford, James Roger P. Angel, Christopher J. Burrows, Jon A. Morse, John T. Trauger, and Donald A. Dufford "HST to HST10X: a second revolution in space science", Proc. SPIE 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, (28 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.394041

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