A Window to the Universe Since 1990
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is one of the most successful scientific instruments ever built. Orbiting approximately 540 kilometres above Earth, Hubble observes the Universe without the blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere, producing exceptionally sharp images across the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, the telescope has transformed astronomy and cosmology by providing detailed observations of planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, black holes and the distant Universe.
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| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Hubble Space Telescope (HST) |
| Launch Date | 24 April 1990 |
| Launch Vehicle | Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31) |
| Operators | NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) |
| Primary Mirror Diameter | 2.4 metres |
| Mass | Approximately 11,100 kg |
| Orbital Altitude | Approximately 540 km |
| Orbital Period | About 95 minutes |
| Wavelength Range | Ultraviolet, Visible and Near Infrared |
The concept of a space telescope dates back to the 1940s. Astronomers recognised that Earth's atmosphere limits image quality by causing turbulence and absorbing parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Following decades of development, Hubble was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990. Shortly after launch, scientists discovered a slight flaw in the primary mirror. In 1993 astronauts carried out the first servicing mission, installing corrective optics that restored the telescope's full performance.
The Hubble Deep Field, Ultra Deep Field and eXtreme Deep Field images revealed thousands of distant galaxies, allowing astronomers to study the early Universe only a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
Hubble observations greatly improved measurements of the Hubble Constant, refining estimates of the age and expansion rate of the Universe.
The telescope provided compelling evidence that most large galaxies contain supermassive black holes at their centres.
Hubble analysed the atmospheres of several exoplanets using transmission spectroscopy, detecting water vapour and other molecules.
Observations of distant supernovae contributed to understanding the accelerating expansion of the Universe, supporting the existence of dark energy.
The Hubble Space Telescope has fundamentally changed our understanding of the Universe. It has helped determine the age of the Universe, measured the expansion rate of space, observed galaxy evolution across billions of years, and inspired generations of scientists and engineers.
Although newer observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope extend astronomical observations into the infrared, Hubble remains one of the most productive and influential scientific instruments ever constructed.