The Hubble Space Telescope is officially 35 years old, marking a significant milestone in its journey as one of the most celebrated observatories in history. NASA has released a fresh gallery of images showcasing the telescope’s incredible achievements, from the surface of Mars to star-forming nebulae and beyond.
Launched on April 24, 1990, Hubble was initially plagued by a tiny mirror flaw that made early images blurry. However, a series of intricate servicing missions in 1993 restored the telescope’s vision, paving the way for three decades of groundbreaking science.
Since then, Hubble has recorded nearly 1.7 million observations of 55,000 celestial targets, generating over 22,000 peer-reviewed papers and accumulating more than 1.3 million citations. The mission’s longevity allows astronomers to revisit cosmic scenes in near-real time, tracking seasonal shifts on Mars and Saturn.
Hubble’s contributions have rewritten narratives about the universe, revealing a staggering population of faint, ancient galaxies and pinning down the rate of cosmic expansion. It has also furnished measurements of exoplanet atmospheres and demonstrated the presence of supermassive black holes at galaxy cores.
The telescope’s success has inspired next-generation observatories, including the James Webb Space Telescope. Its design as a serviceable spacecraft enabled five shuttle crews to perform maintenance missions between 1993 and 2009, transforming Hubble into a nimble workhorse.
As the final shuttle mission left Hubble in excellent health, engineers have developed innovative software patches and remote troubleshooting techniques to extend its operational life. With its visual output demystifying astrophysics, Hubble has captured the public imagination, inspiring artists and conveying beauty and scale.
The telescope’s legacy will eventually pass to the Habitable Worlds Observatory, NASA’s proposed successor for the 2040s, which aims to be up to 100 times more sensitive to starlight. For now, Hubble continues its pioneering journey, offering humanity fresh vistas of star birth, galaxy collisions, and planetary weather.
The Hubble Space Telescope’s remarkable achievements epitomize ingenuity, perseverance, and curiosity – the traits that fuel all great explorations. As NASA celebrates this milestone, it invites us to peer through Hubble’s “new window on the universe,” inviting us to dream and explore further.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/35-years-of-hubble-the-telescope-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe