Hubble Space Telescope NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope is turning 25 this year. The observatory has transformed our understanding of our solar system and beyond, and helped us find our place among the stars. Credits: NASA

[SatNews] NASA is celebrating the Hubble Space Telescope's 25th anniversary with a variety of events highlighting its groundbreaking achievements and scientific contributions with activities running April 20-26.

Hubble, the world’s first space telescope, was launched on April 24, 1990 aboard the space shuttle Discovery. In its quarter-century in orbit, the observatory has transformed our understanding of our solar system and beyond, and helped us find our place among the stars.

Starting at midnight EDT on Monday, April 20, and running through Sunday, April 26, images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope will be broadcast several times each hour on the Toshiba Vision dual LED screens in Times Square, New York.

The IMAX movie Hubble 3D is playing at select theatres across the United States throughout April. Hubble images come to vast, three-dimensional life, taking audiences through the telescope's 25-year existence and putting them in orbit with astronauts during the latest servicing mission. For more information and the trailer, visit: http://hubblesite.org/hubble_20/imax_hubble_3d/

Commemorative 3-D Hubble model and logo files will be available beginning April 20. The files can be downloaded and printed using a 3-D printer and assembled into a miniature Hubble model. For more information, visit: http://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov

NASA Television will air the following anniversary events:

Thursday, April 23 (9 to 9:45 a.m.) — Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington. NASA will unveil the official Hubble 25th anniversary image at this public event, with remarks by NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate John Grunsfeld, Hubble Senior Project Scientist Jennifer Wiseman, and Space Telescope Science Institute Interim Director Kathryn Flanagan.

Friday, April 24 (8 to 9 p.m.)— Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, 600 Independence Ave. SW, Washington. Astronauts, scientists, engineers, technicians, educators, and staff who have contributed to Hubble’s success will be honored at a closed ceremony, followed by talks from prominent officials whose significant contribution to space science have made Hubble possible. 

Saturday, April 25 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly, Virginia. The museum is holding an open family day event featuring panels of astronauts, scientists and engineers. Speakers will recount the history of Hubble and discuss its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope. 

For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv