Hubble Space Telescope


    The Hubble Space Telescope is a NASA space telescope that was carried into orbit by a space shuttle named Discovery (STS-31) on 24th April 1990. It was carried in the shuttle`s cargo bay! The space based observatory allows astronomers a better view of the Universe. The telescope is the size of a school bus.

    Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. The HST was built by the United States Space Agency NASA, with contributions from the European Space Agency, and is operated by the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltomore, MD.

    NASA named the world`s first space based optical telescope after American astronomer Edwin P. Hubble (1889-1953). In 1929 A.D, Edwin Hubble confirmed an expanding universe, which provided the foundation for the Big Bang theory.

    Hubble is the only telescope ever designed to be servicing missions were performed from 1993-2002, but fifth was cancelled on safety grounds following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Dimensions: 43 ft long (13.1 m) and 14.1 ft (4.3 m) wide, Cylindrical in shape.

Weight: 24,500 lb (11,110 kg).

Orbital period: 96 min

Primarily powered by the sunlight collected by its two solar arrays.

The telescope`s primary mirror is 8 ft (2.4 m) in diameter.

Hubble's Top 10 Scientific Discoveries

1. Hubble's studies of supernovas helped to show the existence of dark energy.
2. Determining the probable age of the universe.
3. Snapshots of the early universe via the Hubble Deep Field Surveys.
4. First direct measurement of an extra solar planet's atmosphere.
5. Discovering black holes in the hearts of galaxies.
6. Sources of gamma ray bursts - the nucleus of distant active galaxies.
7. Showing that quasars are probably the hearts of distant active galaxies.
8. Showing that proto-planetary disks are common in space.
9. The 1994 impacts of comet shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter was captured by HST with fine details.
10. Studies of planetary nebulae yielded more information on how less massive stars die.


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Source-  http://hubblesite.org/the_telescope/team_hubble/servicing_missions.php

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