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9 September 2009

NASA releases first official images taken with e2v CCDs onboard the upgraded Hubble Space Telescope

Today, NASA released the first official images taken with e2v Charge Coupled Device (CCD imaging sensors) on the newly upgraded Hubble Space Telescope. e2v CCDs equip Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), the new instrument installed on Hubble in May 2009.

WFC3 is able to take large-scale, extremely clear and detailed pictures of the universe over a very wide range of colours. It delivers more than a 10 times improvement over the previous camera (WFPC2) in discovery efficiency at UV wavelengths; meaning e2v’s CCDs have made the Hubble telescope more powerful than it’s ever been.

The images can be viewed by visiting www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/multimedia/ero/ .

Hubble Space Telescope | e2v CCD image sensors | WFC-3 | Butterfly

Image taken by WFC3 – Butterfly Emerges from Stellar Demise in Planetary Nebula NGC 6302
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team

PRESS OFFICE CONTACT:

Jessica Broom
jessica.broom@e2v.com
Tel: + 44 (0) 1 245 453 607

NOTES FOR EDITORS

e2v

e2v’s objective is to be a global leader in the design and supply of specialised components and sub-systems that enable the world’s leading systems companies to deliver innovative solutions for medical & science, aerospace & defence, and commercial & industrial markets.

e2v is organised into four divisions:

  • High performance electron devices and subsystems for applications including defence electronic countermeasures, radiotherapy cancer treatment, radar systems, industrial heating, satellite communications amplifiers and digital television transmitters.
  • Advanced CCD and CMOS imaging sensors and cameras for applications including space, science and life science imaging, industrial process control, intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray systems, military surveillance and automotive imaging.
  • Specialist Semiconductors – including logic, memory and microprocessors for high reliability microprocessor and MRAM requirements, in partnership with Freescale Semiconductor and Everspin, mission-critical avionics and defence programs requiring high reliability integrated circuits, high speed data converters and sensor data acquisition utilising mixed signal application specific devices.
  • A range of professional sensing products for applications including environmental safety, x-ray spectroscopy, automotive alarm and security systems, microwave radar and safety and arming devices, fire rescue and security thermal imaging.

For the year ended 31 March 2009, e2v achieved sales of £233m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base.

The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has approximately 1700 employees in six production facilities across Europe and North America. e2v also operates a global network of sales and technical support offices, supported by local distributors and resellers.

Further information is available from www.e2v.com