What Hubble actually isHubble generally refers to the Hubble Space Telescope, also known as HST, named after astronomer Edwin Hubble. In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched in low Earth Orbit and is still in operation today. Hubble's four main instruments observe with the use of a 2.4 metre mirror anything near the ultraviolet, visible, and infra-red spectra. |
Spectrum
A spectrum is a broad band of colour, like a rainbow, of electromagnetic radiation. Not every spectrum can be seen with the human eye. The high energy side is the Ultraviolet, as the low energy side is infra-red.
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Parts of the TelescopeThe telescope hosts many parts. It relies on solar arrays for electricity, a multi-layer insulation protecting it from extreme temperatures, and many more to be found on Hubble's outer body. The inside includes computers, batteries, and a pointing control system. |
PurposeThe purpose of the Hubble Space Telescope is to take high resolution images with negligible background light which is possible due to it orbiting outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere. Hubble's telescope is responsible for some of the most significant breakthroughs in astrophysics and has taken some of the most detailed visible-light images ever. It's revealed much about our current understanding of space and time. |
Some images taken by the HST-
Even though the Hubble Space Telescope is not the only space telescope, it is one of the largest and most important. It was created by the United States Space Agency known as NASA with significant contribution of the European Space Agency.
It is also the only telescope designed to be operated by astronauts.
It's successor James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scheduled to launch in 2018.
It is also the only telescope designed to be operated by astronauts.
It's successor James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scheduled to launch in 2018.