Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Celebrating 35 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope: A Window to the Universe
Launched into space on April 24, 1990, nestled within the Discovery space shuttle, the 24,000-pound Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. Now, thirty-five years later, NASA celebrates Hubble’s enduring legacy, citing its profound impact in “opening a new window to the universe.” With over 1.6 million observations, the telescope has delivered captivating imagery of galaxies, planets, and our own solar system, solidifying its place in astronomical history.
Stunning Anniversary Photos Released
To commemorate this significant milestone, NASA has unveiled breathtaking photographs captured by the Hubble Space Telescope throughout its decades-long voyage among the stars.
Mars Through Hubble’s Eye
One striking image showcases Mars, captured from a distance of 61 million miles from Earth.
“Thin water-ice clouds, identifiable through Hubble’s unique ultraviolet capabilities, bestow a frosty appearance upon the Red Planet,” the Hubble team shared alongside the photo on social media.
A photo of Mars taken by Hubble / Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Hubble’s Enduring Impact
In a press release commemorating Hubble’s decades circling the sun, NASA lauded the telescope as “a shining success story of America’s technological prowess, unwavering scientific curiosity, and a reaffirmation of our nation’s pioneering spirit.”
Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, stated, “Its breathtaking imagery has captivated individuals worldwide, while the underlying data has unveiled surprising discoveries ranging from early galaxies to planets within our own solar system. The fact that it remains operational today underscores the value of our flagship observatories and offers crucial insights for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which we intend to be serviceable in the spirit of Hubble.”
NGC 2899: A Dying Star’s Legacy
Another remarkable image from Hubble features the nebula NGC 2899, which NASA’s Hubble account on X described as being “shaped by the outflow of radiation and stellar winds from a dying star at its center, boasting a temperature of 40,000 degrees Fahrenheit.”
An image of planetary nebula NGC 2899 taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. / Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Hubble’s Scientific Contributions
During its mission, Hubble has examined approximately 55,000 celestial targets, leading to the publication of over 22,000 scientific papers as of February. Besides the James Webb Space Telescope, it has amassed the largest dataset for a NASA astrophysics endeavor, boasting over 400 terabytes of data. Among its numerous observations are:
- Planetary seasons
- Black hole jets moving at near-light speed
- Stellar explosions
- Asteroid collisions
- Expanding supernova remnants
Rosette Nebula’s Hidden Beauty
Another captured image reveals a segment of the star-forming Rosette Nebula, showcasing dark hydrogen gas clouds intertwined with dust.
An image showing a small portion of the Rosette Nebula taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. / Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Space
Hubble’s capacity to capture images of the cosmos is visually stunning and has facilitated numerous scientific advancements. Prior to its deployment, ground-based telescopes had limited visibility into deep space, constraining estimates of the universe’s age and overall knowledge of space. Hubble’s deep field images revealed galaxies from the early universe, enabling scientists to accurately determine the universe’s expansion rate.
Furthermore, the telescope allowed scientists to confirm the prevalence of supermassive black holes in galaxies, measure exoplanet atmospheres, and contributed to the discovery of dark energy.
An image of barred spiral galaxy NGC 5335 taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. / Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
More Headlines
- Sneak peek: The Detective’s Wife
- St. Louis woman says family decimated by cancer after living near toxic creek for decades
- Arson charges related to massive New Jersey wildfire