The Hubble Space Telescope, named after Edwin Hubble, was built by NASA, and launched into space in 1990. At the time, astronomers the world over expected great discoveries to be made. With this magnificent telescope’s help, we could see further into space than ever before.

Why were people so thrilled by Hubble?

With a piece of technology like the Hubble Telescope, we could get a much better look into outer space and learn more about the universe. We could find new black holes, and look back billions of years in time to the very beginnings of our universe.

The Hubble Telescope today

Today, this wonderful piece of equipment has more than met our expectations. It brings us awe inspiring images, and aids us in making new discoveries all the time. With the Hubble’s help, we now have definitive proof that dark matter, or energy, is simply matter that we can’t see with the naked eye.

Did you know it’s estimated that only about ten percent of the Universe is visible?

So, why is the Hubble so important? Well, before the Hubble was launched into space, scientists and astronomers could only learn about space by studying starlight, and the only pictures they had were taken here on earth.

A major step forward in the field of Astronomy

With the help of this huge reflective telescope, discoveries are made every day, and we get spectacular images of space that will take your breath away.

A picture is worth a thousand words

The pictures taken by the Hubble are not your average pictures. They are 20 times larger than pictures taken with a digital camera. Even at that size, they are crystal clear and full of color.

Some Hubble history

Construction of the Hubble commenced in 1977 and was finished in 1985. 5 years later, on April 25, 1990 Hubble was launched into space. the first pictures weren’t so great. NASA later discovered why. The giant mirror in Hubble was too flat on one edge.

In 1993, a camera was added to Hubble, and this corrected the problem.

In 1997, Hubble was serviced a second time and older instruments were replaced.

In October 1997, NASA extended the telescope’s operations through the year 2010.

So it seems as if we have much to discover about the world of Astronomy and space, because this wonderful telescope will continue bringing us images for years to come.