Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space-based telescope named after the astronomer Edwin Hubble. Launched into low Earth orbit in 1990, it has been pivotal in making significant observations and contributions to astronomy. Here's a detailed look into its history, operations, and contributions:
History
- Conception: The idea for a space telescope was first conceived in the late 1940s. NASA officially began its development in 1977, with the project named after Edwin Hubble due to his contributions to cosmology.
- Construction: The construction involved various contractors, with key components like the optics being produced by PerkinElmer and the structure by Lockheed Martin.
- Launch: HST was launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of mission STS-31.
- Servicing Missions: Hubble has undergone several servicing missions to repair, upgrade, and replace its instruments. These missions were carried out by astronauts from the Space Shuttle in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2009.
Design and Instruments
- Optical System: Hubble features a 2.4-meter (7.9 feet) primary mirror, designed to capture light from the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrums.
- Instruments: Over its operational life, Hubble has used various instruments like the Wide Field and Planetary Camera (WFPC), the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS), and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), among others. These instruments allow for high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy.
Scientific Contributions
- Deep Field Images: Hubble's observations, like the Hubble Deep Field and the Ultra Deep Field, have provided insights into the early universe by capturing images of some of the most distant galaxies ever seen.
- Expansion of the Universe: Observations by Hubble have helped to refine measurements of the Hubble Constant, which describes the rate at which the universe is expanding.
- Black Holes and Quasars: Hubble has contributed to our understanding of supermassive black holes and their relationship with quasars.
- Exoplanet Atmospheres: It has also been used to study the atmospheres of exoplanets through transit spectroscopy.
Operational Challenges and Upgrades
- Spherical Aberration: Initially, Hubble suffered from spherical aberration, which was corrected during the first servicing mission in 1993 by installing the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR).
- End of Life: Although initially expected to last 15 years, Hubble's longevity has been extended through servicing missions and upgrades, with its operations now planned to continue into the 2020s.
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