The Hubble Space Telescope was put into orbit April 1990. It is one of the biggest space telescopes put into orbit and was named after Edward Hubble. When first launched, the telescope didn’t offer the images that NASA wanted it to; the reason was because a mirror in the telescope was positioned off by a 1.3 millimeters. The result was that the images being produced were out of focus. Of course, spending a few billion creating the telescope, the team at NASA set out to fix the problem and they fixed it soon after. Since then, the Hubble Space Telescope has gone on to produce some of the most spectacular images seen from space. It has taken thousands of images and made many discoveries such as the Eagle Nebula and the Orion Nebula.
Take some time to see some of the magnificent images that the Hubble Space Telescope has brought back to Earth:
Cat’s Eye Nebula
The Cat’s Eye Nebula is one of the most complex ever discovered with structures in it such as knots, jets, bubbles, sinewy arc-like features. One of most amazing things found in this image is the very bright, hot star found in the center of the nebula.
Edge of the Orion Nebula
The following photograph was taken from the edge of the Orion Nebula. The nebula is found just south of Orion’s Belt. The nebula’s radius is about twelve light years. An interesting fact is that the nebula is one of the brightest and can actually be faintly seen during the night by the naked eye.
Reflection Nebula
The reflection nebula is like a streetlight in fog. The star just left of center and the fog was left over after the star was created. The light reflects off of the particles in space and gives light to the whole nebula.
Mystic Mountain
For the Hubble Space Telescope’s 20th anniversary, the Mystic Mountain image was produced. To the top is about three light years.
Orion Nebula
The orion nebula almost seems surreal. The formation of the clouds creates something that is hard to duplicate. The twenty-four light year diameter is best viewed from afar.
Galactic Center Region
Infrared light is found right next to visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Sure enough, the Hubble Space Telescope has the ability to this light. When it does, this is what happens.
M104
Not that far from earth, 28 million light years away, you’ll find M104: a galaxy that is 50, 000 light years from side to side.
The Hubble Space Telescope is supposed to be functioning until 2014. So look for some great images still to come in the future. After 2014, the James Webb Space Telescope will take the place of the Hubble. The James Webb Space Telescope is supposed to be able to see further into space as well as being able to see stars the Hubble Space Telescope isn’t able to see.
All images and information from HubbleSite
