Hubble Space Telescope
Overview
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit on April 24, 1990. It was developed as a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Hubble has provided some of the most detailed images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and other astronomical phenomena, significantly enhancing our understanding of the universe.
Key Features
- Orbit: Hubble orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 547 kilometers (about 340 miles).
- Size: The telescope is about 13.3 meters (43.5 feet) long and 4.2 meters (14 feet) in diameter.
- Instruments: Hubble is equipped with various scientific instruments, including cameras and spectrographs, which allow it to observe in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectra.
Scientific Achievements
Hubble has made numerous important discoveries and contributions to astronomy, including:
- Expansion of the Universe: Hubble's observations helped confirm that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, leading to the concept of dark energy.
- Age of the Universe: It has helped refine the estimated age of the universe to approximately 13.8 billion years.
- Exoplanets: Hubble has provided vital data regarding the atmospheres of exoplanets, contributing to the search for potentially habitable worlds.
- Galactic Evolution: The telescope has captured breathtaking images that offer insights into the life cycles of stars and the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Future and Legacy
As of 2023, Hubble continues to operate and is expected to work until at least 2026. Its legacy includes over 1.5 million observations, which have contributed to more than 17,000 scientific papers. Hubble has fundamentally changed our view of the universe and remains a cornerstone of modern astronomy.
Plans for its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched on December 25, 2021, were made to complement Hubble's capabilities, particularly in observing the early universe and distant galaxies.
Additional Resources
For more information on the Hubble Space Telescope, you can visit the following resources: