Hubble Space Telescope: Window to the Universe

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is one of the largest and most capable scientific instruments ever built. It was launched in 1990 and has been orbiting Earth ever since, giving astronomers unprecedented views of the universe.

Hubble sits above Earth’s atmosphere, giving it many advantages over ground-based telescopes. First, it is not affected by atmospheric turbulence, which can blur images. Second, it is visible at a wider range of wavelengths, including ultraviolet and infrared light, invisible to ground-based telescopes. Hubble Space Telescope has made many important discoveries over the years. This has helped us understand the formation and evolution of galaxies, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the life cycles of stars. It also provides stunning images of the universe, inspiring people around the world.

What is Hubble?

Hubble Space Telescope is a reflecting telescope, meaning it uses mirrors to collect and focus light. It has a primary mirror with a diameter of 2.4 meters and a secondary mirror with a diameter of 0.3 meters. The primary mirror is made of beryllium, a lightweight and durable metal.

Hubble is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and sophisticated guidance sensors. The camera takes pictures of celestial objects, while the spectrometer measures the composition and motions of stars and galaxies. Sophisticated guidance sensors are used to keep Hubble precisely pointed at its target.

Where is Hubble?

Hubble orbits Earth at an altitude of about 547 km (340 miles). It is above Earth’s atmosphere, giving Hubble a clear view of the universe.

Hubble Space Telescope takes about 97 minutes to complete an orbit around Earth. During this time, it can observe a wide variety of celestial objects, from planets and comets in our solar system to distant galaxies billions of light years away.

Hubble’s Discovery

Hubble Space Telescope has made many important discoveries over the years, including:

* Expansion rate of the universe: Hubble helps confirm that the universe is expanding and measures the expansion rate. This is called the Hubble constant. * Age of the universe: Hubble has helped determine the age of the universe at about 13.8 billion years.

* Dark matter and dark energy: Hubble has provided evidence of the existence of dark matter and dark energy, two mysterious substances that makeup about 95% of the universe.

* The life cycle of stars: Hubble has helped us understand the formation and evolution of stars, from their birth in nebulae to their death in supernovae.

* Exoplanets: Hubble has contributed to the discovery of hundreds of exoplanets, or planets orbiting other stars.

Hubble Impact

Hubble has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe. This has helped us answer some of the most fundamental questions about our place in the universe, such as how the universe began and how it is evolving.

Hubble has also inspired people around the world with its stunning images of the universe. These images have captured the imagination of people of all ages and helped inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation of the universe.

Hubble’s Future:

Hubble is still operating today, more than 30 years after its launch. It will continue to operate for several more years but it will eventually need to be replaced. NASA is currently developing a new space telescope called the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST is expected to launch in 2021 and will be much more powerful than Hubble. He will be able to see objects that are fainter and in more detail.

However, JWST will not completely replace Hubble. Hubble has a unique view of the universe that JWST will not be able to replicate. For example, Hubble can see in ultraviolet light, while JWST cannot.

Hubble and JWST will work together to help astronomers better understand the universe. Together, they will help us answer some of the most fundamental questions about our place in the universe.

Conclusion

The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the largest and most capable scientific instruments ever built. This has helped us understand the formation and evolution of galaxies, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the life cycles of stars. It also provides stunning images of the universe, inspiring people around the world.

Hubble is still operating today, more than 30 years after its launch. It will continue to operate for several more years but it will eventually need to be replaced. NASA is currently developing a new space telescope.

5 FAQs about the Hubble Space Telescope