The Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, is a large, space-based observatory that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe by capturing detailed images and data from distant celestial objects.

The Hubble Space Telescope was named after American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of extragalactic astronomy in the early 20th century. The development of the Hubble Space Telescope began in the 1970s, with collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. However, soon after its deployment, it became apparent that there was a flaw in its primary mirror, which led to blurry images. This issue was corrected during a historic servicing mission in December 1993 by a team of astronauts who installed corrective optics, known as the COSTAR system.

Over the years, the Hubble Space Telescope has undergone several more servicing missions to replace and upgrade its components, including the installation of advanced cameras and instruments that have significantly improved its capabilities.

The Hubble Space Telescope has made numerous groundbreaking discoveries, such as the confirmation of the existence of supermassive black holes, the accurate determination of the universe’s expansion rate, and the discovery of dark energy. Its stunning images of galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects have captivated the public and inspired a new generation of astronomers.

The Hubble Space Telescope continues to operate today, although its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, is set to be launched in the near future to expand our understanding of the cosmos further.