Exactly 25 years ago tomorrow (April 24, 1990) the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit around the earth, allowing us a new lens through which to see the far reaches of the universe and forever changing the way we understand the cosmos.

This weekend at the Griffith Observatory they’ll celebrate the quarter century anniversary of that achievement with a series of free events, including discussion panels and commemorations designed to educate the public about the importance of the Hubble Space Telescope and inspire a greater appreciation for the ongoing discoveries in astronomy.

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There will also be a ticketed (paid) event on Monday featuring astronomers and engineers who have worked on maintaining the telescope over the years discussing the past and future of space astronomy.

Check the full schedule of events after the jump!

Friday, April 24, 2015

Hubble at 25: A Discovery a Day

7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

Astronomers from NASA, Space Telescope Science Institute, and Griffith Observatory describe how the Hubble Space Telescope changed our view of the universe and our place in it.

Dr. Ken Carpenter (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)

Dr. Rosa Diaz (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Dr. Laura Danly (Griffith Observatory)

Dr. David Reitzel (Griffith Observatory)

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Ever New: Hubble Through The Years

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1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

NASA astrophysicist Dr. Ken Carpenter and Northrop Grumman engineer and executive Mr. Russ Matijevich recount the challenges faced by engineers, scientists, and astronauts in their efforts to keep Hubble ever new.

Dr. Ken Carpenter (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)

Mr. Russ Matijevich (Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Meet Astronaut Mark Vande Hei

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Meet & Greet

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. From the Sea to the Stars (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Meet & Greet

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei comes back to Griffith Observatory to share what it is like to train for a mission to the International Space Station. Meet Colonel Vande Hei and learn what it takes to be an astronaut.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Beyond Hubble: The Future of Space Astronomy

12:00 noon – 12:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

What amazing telescopes will follow Hubble? NASA and aerospace engineers have designs and dreams to take our vision even deeper into the universe and answer some of astronomy’s most puzzling questions.

Dr. Ken Carpenter (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)

Meet Astronaut Story Musgrave

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Meet & Greet

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Farm Kid to Rocket Man and Beyond, One LIttle Step at a Time (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meet & Greet

In 1993, NASA astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave flew on Space Shuttle Endeavour to the Hubble Space Telescope. As Payload Commander, Dr. Musgrave helped restore Hubble’s vision with the on-orbit installation of new instruments. Meet Dr. Musgrave and hear about his experiences on Hubble’s first servicing mission.

The James Webb Space Telescope – The Next Great Space Observatory

4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

The James Webb Space Telescope will be NASA’s next great space observatory. The telescope will be launched in 2018. Unlike Hubble, it will not orbit Earth. Instead it will orbit the sun in a special location about a million miles from Earth. Learn more from the engineers and scientists who are building it.

Mr. Scott Willoughby (Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Dr. Amy Lo (Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Monday, April 27, 2015

Friends Of The Observatory Cosmic Musings Event

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (streamed on Griffith ObservatoryTV)

Astronomers and engineers involved with the Hubble Space Telescope recount Hubble’s amazing story of 25 years of discovery and take a look at what comes next in space astronomy.

Dr. Ken Carpenter (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center)

Mr. Russ Matijevich (Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Dr. Alberto Conti (Northrop Grumman Corporation)

Dr. Laura Danly (Griffith Observatory)