NASA Science Chief Statement on Naming of Space Telescope Science Institute's Astronomical Database for Senator Mikulski

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Apr 05, 2012, 05:08 ET

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from NASA's Chief Scientist, Waleed Abdalati, on the Space Telescope Science Institute naming its astronomical database the Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). MAST holds science data from the Hubble Space Telescope and 14 other NASA missions.

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"The Space Telescope Science Institute's decision to name its database for Senator Mikulski is an honor very much deserved. She is a tremendous advocate and supporter for science, NASA and the astrophysics community.

"Thanks to Hubble and other space observatories, our view of the universe and our place within it has forever been changed. Space research holds tremendous benefits for our lives here on Earth. Images and data capture the imagination of people everywhere, especially of our youth. Images from this collection have permeated American society and culture and are internationally recognized icons of science and exploration.

"We live in an age of extraordinary scientific advancement with astronomy at the forefront. NASA is committed to conducting world-class science from our space observatories, and the data that will be returned to the Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes are sure to yield many exciting new discoveries."

For more information about NASA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For more information about MAST, visit:

http://archive.stsci.edu/

SOURCE NASA