The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990, from the space shuttle Discovery. This revolutionary instrument has been hailed as the “most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo’s telescope.” Hubble has provided clearer views of our solar system and has taken us hundreds of light-years away to the edge of the universe.
Captivating Images from Hubble
Hubble captured an image of three galaxies in a tug-of-war millions of light-years from Earth. This system is known as Arp 195 and was included in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies.
ESA/Hubble/NASA/J. Dalcanton
Hubble took this image of the rare blue variable star AG Carinae, located 20,000 light-years away from Earth in the Milky Way galaxy. The star has experienced several explosions that created its distinctive halo. ESA/STScI/NASAThe Orion Nebula is 1,500 light-years from Earth and is located in Orion’s Belt in the constellation Orion. It’s one of the brightest nebulae, visible to the naked eye on a clear, dark night.
Notable Discoveries
Hubble has captured many stunning images of our neighbor Mars, especially during its closest approach in 2003, when the two worlds were only 34.6 million miles apart.
Galactic Wonders
Hubble snapped this image in 2007 of Ganymede appearing to peek out from beneath Jupiter, the largest moon in our solar system.
Exploring the Outer Planets
Hubble captured this stunning image of Saturn in 2004, revealing some of the planet’s smaller rings.
Discoveries Beyond Our Solar System
Hubble captured this image of the distant blue-green world Neptune in 2005, utilizing multiple filters to study its atmosphere.
Stellar Nurseries and Supernova Remnants
This 2018 image shows the Lagoon Nebula, a chaotic nursery full of baby stars, showcasing a young star 200,000 times brighter than our sun.
Hubble’s vast contributions have provided insights into the universe’s structure and the processes governing celestial phenomena. Its legacy continues to enrich our understanding of astronomy, showcasing breathtaking images that inspire scientists and enthusiasts alike.
