The Hubble Space Telescope, launched 35 years ago, has proven its worth as a top workhorse for science discoveries and publications. Despite being surpassed by newer telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Hubble remains relevant due to its unique capabilities.
“Hubble is different than JWST in that it is great at imaging both visible light and ultraviolet wavelengths,” said Kurt Retherford, a Southwest Research Institute scientist who recently used Hubble for studying Jupiter’s moon Io. “They are complementary in terms of filters used: Hubble offers a view in the optical, while the JWST observes in near-infrared and infrared bands.”
The JWST has been designed to complement the high resolution and sensitivity of Hubble, but the long-serving space telescope still holds value for scientists. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch by May 2027 and will build on the success of both Hubble and JWST.
Hubble’s usefulness extends beyond its current capabilities. With the completion of the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, which will conduct the decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), Hubble can be used for deeper observations in specific optical features. This will allow for stellar population studies through Spectral Energy Distribution mapping.
The biggest threat to Hubble’s future is not from other space telescopes but from internal funding challenges that affect NASA science projects. The US may struggle to fund scientists like Retherford, who rely on national treasures like Hubble and JWST.
Despite this, many observatories will still benefit from a partnership with Hubble, especially when collaborating with ground-based observatories like the Rubin Observatory. The long-serving space telescope has secured its place as a valuable tool for scientists, and it’s likely to continue working until its true replacement arrives or reaches its 40th birthday in 2030.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/hubble-space-telescope/can-hubble-still-hang-how-the-space-telescope-compares-to-its-successors-after-35-years-of-cosmic-adventures