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• The formation of Stars
• The composition of the Universe
• Spyglasses into the Universe – Gravitational lenses
• Europe & Hubble

Europe & Hubble

ESA’s contribution to the Hubble Project guarantees European scientists access to 15% of Hubble observing time. Hubble time is allocated on pure scientific merit by an international panel that includes European experts. During the first 9 cycles of Hubble observations (approximately 9 years), European astronomers have always been allocated more than the guaranteed 15% threshold and in recent years the fraction of allocated time to European scientists has been close to a quarter.

Piero Benvenuti Former ESA Hubble Project Scientist, former Head of ST-ECF
	"Hubble is of paramount importance to European astronomy. It gives European scientists the opportunity to use a world class observatory of a kind that Europe alone would not have been able to build and operate, enabling scientists in Europe to continue to be competitive and even lead in several areas of astrophysics and cosmology. Today the European astronomical community is in a good position to apply its experience with Hubble and exploit effectively the large observing facilities currently under construction or discussion, such as the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT), the Gemini Telescopes and the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST)."

Scientists from most ESA Member States have had an opportunity to observe with Hubble. During the first 9 cycles, more than 850 European astronomers were so-called Principal Investigators (PIs) or Co- Investigators (CoIs) in at least one successful Hubble observing programme and many were investigators in several cycles. Here is an overview of the fraction of observing time that was rewarded to ESA proposals. It is measured in two different ways: In number of proposals and in time (here measured in units of Hubble orbits, i.e. 96 minutes).

Duccio Macchetto Head of the ESA's Space Telescopes Division
	"ESA has 15 European scientists working at STScI in Baltimore as part of its contribution to the science operations of Hubble. This European contingent has not only played a significant part in the successful operation of the Hubble Observatory, but has also often consisted of young European astronomers taking the opportunity to work in a highly stimulating environment. Many European Hubble Observers have spent periods of research time at STScI and several European students have completed their Ph.D. studies there. It is an excellent return for the investment."

The success of a scientific mission can be measured by the number and quality of scientific papers that are published in the specialised press. The number of papers based on Hubble observations published each year has been increasing continuously since the telescope’s launch. There is at least one European author or co-author on about 30% of these papers, indicating the importance of Hubble to European astronomy.