Dr. Tilly Wong – 13/10/2024
Novella City, Xeles, Novella Islands
Novellan National News Service
200 previously-unreleased images revealed, celebrating 20 years since the seventh and final Horizons observatory was launched
The Horizons program today marks its 20th anniversary of ‘full functionality’, according to a press release this morning by the Novella Islands Bureau of Aerospace Operations (NIBAO). On this day in 2004, the Colbert-Westbrook telescope joined its six siblings in orbit. Carried aboard the Typhoon space shuttle, its entering into service completed the Orbital Observatory Program’s foundational infrastructure requirements.
To commemorate two decades of groundbreaking astronomical discoveries, NIBAO has unveiled a selection of 200 previously unreleased images captured by the Horizons observatories. Spanning the vast expanse of the cosmos, these images showcase unparalleled glimpses into the universe; featuring awe-inspiring nebulae, distant galaxies, and fascinating insights into stellar formation. The Horizons program, instrumental in expanding our understanding of the universe, has provided a steady stream of invaluable data, revolutionising astrophysics and capturing the imaginations of scientists and the public alike.
All seven telescopes are due for a refit as of next year, with the NIBAO Horizons Refit supplementary program expected to continue between 2025 and 2035. This upgrade and maintenance cycle is anticipated to extend their service life for an additional 20 years, although it is hoped that they will continue operating beyond that time.
Our top picks from across the spectrum
Visible light: the Taylor Space Telescope

Infrared light: the Solomon-Masters Space Telescope

Ultraviolet light: the Wembley-Moss-Bennett Space Telescope

Microwaves: the Yamaguchi-Darling Space Telescope

X-rays: the Holland-Fishman Space Telescope

Radio waves: the Colbert-Westbrook Space Telescope

Gamma rays: the Spencer-Garnier Space Telescope

Composite images: bringing all of the telescopes together
