Source: NASA
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a telescope that was launched into space in 1990 by NASA and the European Space Agency. It is named after the famous astronomer Edwin Hubble. The HST orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 569 kilometers (354 miles), which allows it to capture images and data that would be impossible to obtain from telescopes on the ground.
The HST is equipped with a 2.4 meter (7.9 feet) primary mirror and a variety of instruments, including cameras and spectrographs, which allow it to observe a wide range of objects in the universe. These instruments have been used to study everything from nearby planets and moons to distant galaxies and quasars.
One of the most important contributions of the HST has been its ability to study the universe in unprecedented detail. The telescope's high resolution and sensitivity have allowed scientists to observe distant galaxies, stars and other celestial objects in greater detail than ever before. For example, the HST has been used to study the properties of stars in distant galaxies, which has provided important information about the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Another major contribution of the HST has been its ability to study the universe in different wavelengths of light. The telescope has been used to observe the universe in ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, which has provided new insights into the nature of stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects. For example, the telescope has been used to study the properties of star-forming regions and the distribution of dark matter in galaxies.
The HST has also been used to make important discoveries in the field of cosmology, such as providing evidence for the existence of dark energy and for the accelerated expansion of the universe. It has also been used to study the properties of the earliest galaxies in the universe, which has provided important information about the early history of the universe.
Despite its many successes, the HST has not been without its challenges. One of the most significant challenges has been the need for regular servicing missions to replace and upgrade its instruments and to repair or replace faulty equipment. In total, there have been five servicing missions to the HST since its launch.
Despite these challenges, the HST has proven to be one of the most successful and productive astronomical observatories ever built. It continues to provide new and important insights into the nature of the universe and its many mysteries.
The Hubble Space Telescope is set to be operated until at least 2020, and NASA plans to extend its lifetime to 2030, which will provide valuable additional time for scientific observations. The HST is also set to be replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is set to be launched in 2021. The JWST will have greater sensitivity and resolution than the HST, and will be able to observe the universe in even greater detail.
