ORG:News on the Hubble - before the launch

   The U.S. Hubble Space Telescope is scheduled for launch aboard the
space shuttle Discovery sometime this year.

   Once out in orbit, 368 miles above the earth and far from the
distorting effects of the atmosphere, Hubble's 94.5 inch mirror will
make images ten times sharper than any earth-based telescope.

   "For astronomers, it will be like the receipt of the Bible," says
John Bachall of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

   Hubble will focus on stars twenty times fainter than any seen with
existing telescopes.

   Hubble will also examine areas that appear vacant from earth to see
if they are populated with faint stars. It will also search for planets
outside our solar system.

   "And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all
things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to
the sons of man to be exercised therewith." Ecclesiastes 1:13