The Advanced Camera for Surveys is the Hubble Space Telescope's latest scientific instrument. It will give astronomers the opportunity to discover celestial objects far beyond the reach of current instruments in a fraction of the time, unlocking more of the universe's secrets. The new camera, which is also known as ACS, is a large phonebooth-sized instrument consisting of three different, specialized channels. Each channel plays a unique imaging role, enabling ACS to contribute to many different areas of astronomy and cosmology.

It will become Hubble's new workhorse, surveying far regions of the universe, searching for extra-solar planets and observing weather and other features on planets in our own solar system. With its wider field of view, superb image quality and exquisite sensitivity, ACS will take full advantage of Hubble's unique position as a space-based telescope.

ACS was installed on the orbital observatory during the fourth space walk of STS-109 in March 2002. Mission Specialists James Newman and Michael Massimino installed it into the location previously held by the Faint Object Camera -- the last of Hubble's original instruments.