QUESTION:
Why do the people who run the Hubble Space Telescope do projects
like Live from the Hubble Space Telescope

ANSWER from Carol Christian on March 8, 1996:
First, I would say that scientists in the whole
country are proud of the combined, community effort to plan,
build and launch such a magnificent observatory and to see
its potential being realized. Astronomers want to share the
excitement of the process of having such a goal realized.

In addition, scientists are awed with the new data coming in -
in is beauty and its scientific value. We are pleased to share
the excitement with all of the public. The data is rich in 
many ways - because it is inspiring, it represents the mysteries
of space unfolding for us and it also has artistic value.

While astronomers are working hard to analyze the data carefully
and understand the physical universe, we are also pleased to
offer these data to everyone who is at all interested in 
science and astronomy. We especially are working to bring these
data into the classroom to share with teachers and students
the scientific process - discovery, hypothesis, testing, analysis
review, reporting and then articulating further questions that
have arisen.

The news and public information activities that the HST project
supports draw attention to the data and information and the 
scientists. It also draws attention to the marvelous technology
of the telescope and spinoffs from the technology.

Without the news, the public, teachers, students, families, and
the congress are not aware of the interesting new data coming
in daily with this telescope and other NASA telescopes.

Finally, since taxpayers in this country support science research,
astronomers are keen to give a solid return on this investment.
Public information is a way to draw attention to the Hubble
Space telescope. By paying attention to information in newspapers,
on the radio and on television, the public finds out how to
get more information and educational materials.

					-Dr. Carol Christian, Head
					 Office of Public Outreach
				         Space Telescope Science Institute