When Hubble was launched, it became clear very shortly thereafter that there was a problem with the optics.The mirror was not quite the right shape. And the one program that I had really been looking forward to doing with Hubble was studying outer planets in our solar system, the planets Uranus and Neptune.
The Hubble program has been so fantastically successful. It's more than what anyone expected.
Mars is key to humanity's future in space. It is the closest planet that has all the resources needed to support life and technological civilization. Its complexity uniquely demands the skills of human explorers, who will pave the way for human settlers.
Space is a laboratory, an experiment in all forms of all things, an infinity of possibilities, properties, and places that cry out for investigation and exploration.
Even after years of observing, a new picture of Uranus from Keck Observatory can stop me in my tracks and make me say, 'Wow!'
Astronomers ought to be able to ask fundamental questions without accelerators.
We've gotta reinvest in space travel. We should've never left the moon.
The future infrared space telescope will cover that area in a much more efficient manner.
In 1959 the University recognized our work by appointing me to a new Chair of Radio Astronomy.
A few months after NASA was formed, I was asked if I knew anyone who would like to set up a program in space astronomy.
The first year I was at NASA, I was only responsible for optical and ultraviolet astronomy. Frankly, there wasn't much else.
Classifying the stars has helped materially in all studies of the structure of the universe.
I would suspect strongly that over a period of time, if we put our mind to going to Mars, it will be a consortium of several countries.
No company is hiring anyone to search for messages from aliens. Most people don't seem to think there's much benefit to it. The lack of interest is, I think, because most people don't realize what even a simple detection would really mean.
We really have only been observing Neptune with big telescopes since shortly before 1989.
Ultimately, what we're looking for in the long run is to find other Earth-like planets.
Radio astronomy reflects our fascination with how audio can be used to understand information or ideas. Just as scientists visualize data through charts and pictures, we can use 'data sonification' to translate radio signals into sound that help us better understand some of our most enigmatic planetary systems.
The need for a detailed, comprehensive examination of the Saturn system became clear during the early 1980s, after the two Voyager spacecraft made flybys of the planet. These celebrated events were the opening acts in the story of humanity's exploration of Saturn.
The one way to discover about aliens is to tune your radio telescope and listen to the signals.
Too many people view on [space exploration] as a luxury rather than as a fundamental driver to stimulate interest in science to everyone in the educational pipeline. It's vital to our prosperity and security.
Among the radio astronomers of SETI - the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - it's only sort-of a joke that the true hallmark of intelligent life is the creation of radio astronomy.
I hope that China will continue with space exploration. It would be logical to have international co-operation. I hope that it will come about and that I can be involved in it.
Whenever a total eclipse of the sun was visible in an accessible region parties were sent out to observe it.
Our field is very focused on finding Earth 2.0, and anything we can do to narrow the search is helpful.
Many of us in Congress have been calling on the Administration to articulate a bold mission for NASA. It seems that the President is answering that call. I wholeheartedly support his vision for going back to the moon, and from there to worlds beyond.
