35 Years of Hubble: Discover How This Iconic Telescope Transformed Our Understanding of the Universe

The Hubble Space Telescope is celebrating 35 years in orbit, and what an incredible journey it has been! To commemorate this milestone, NASA released a stunning gallery of images showing everything from the rusty surface of Mars to colorful nebulae and distant galaxies. These visuals highlight Hubble’s massive impact on both astronomy and our everyday lives.

Launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Hubble was touted as “a new window on the universe.” Unfortunately, early promise quickly turned into disappointment. Engineers discovered a small flaw in its mirror, resulting in blurry images. Thankfully, astronauts conducted a repair mission in December 1993, installing corrective optics and updated instruments that restored Hubble’s vision. As Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division, notes, “Hubble opened a new window to the universe when it launched 35 years ago.”

Since its re-launch into full functionality, Hubble has made nearly 1.7 million observations of about 55,000 celestial targets, producing over 22,000 peer-reviewed papers. These findings have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos, such as confirming the existence of dark energy, which won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Hubble’s ability to monitor the universe over time is extraordinary. It has tracked the seasonal changes on Mars and captured the formation and expansion of supernova remnants. Each observation reveals phenomena that once seemed too slow to comprehend within a human lifespan.

Before Hubble, ground-based telescopes struggled to peer through Earth’s atmospheric turbulence, leading to inflated estimates about the universe’s age. Hubble revolutionized this understanding, uncovering a multitude of ancient galaxies and tracking cosmic expansion with unparalleled accuracy. Its remarkable Deep Field images unveiled galaxies that are over 13 billion years old. Hubble also pioneered the measurement of atmospheres on exoplanets, enhancing our knowledge of potential life beyond Earth.

Part of Hubble’s longevity is its design, which allows for servicing missions. Over 16 years, astronauts completed five servicing missions to replace instruments and improve technology, ensuring Hubble remains at the forefront of astronomical research.

Hubble has not only enriched scientific knowledge but has also captured the public imagination. Iconic images like the Pillars of Creation and the Eagle Nebula are widely shared, inspiring future generations of scientists and enthusiasts alike.

Looking ahead, Hubble’s legacy will continue with the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory, planned for the 2040s. This new observatory aims to find Earth-like planets in habitable zones and possibly detect signs of life. HWO will benefit from Hubble’s lessons, designed to be serviceable just like its predecessor.

As Hubble orbits Earth approximately every 97 minutes, it keeps collecting data and offering new insights. Its journey exemplifies human curiosity and perseverance. Through its vibrant images and groundbreaking discoveries, Hubble invites everyone to share in the wonders of the universe, reminding us that exploration and understanding are truly a universal endeavor.

For the latest captivating images and news about space, visit NASA’s official website here.

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