Better Perspective Of The Universe With Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope has drastically changed the way scientists see the heavens. Hubble is one of NASA's most successful and long-lasting science missions. By using literally hundreds of thousands of images the telescope has beamed back to Earth, mankind has been given a never-before-seen perspective on the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 and has overcome many of the problems that other space telescopes have faced. The problem is the atmosphere because no matter how powerful the telescopes are, moving pockets have distorted the view.

This phenomenon is why stars appear to twinkle to the naked eye. The atmosphere also partially blocks or absorbs certain wavelengths of radiation, like ultraviolet and gamma-rays, before they can reach the Earth. The positioning of Hubble allows scientists to bypass this problem. Hubble is orbiting 353 miles (569 km) above the Earth's surface.

In 2008, the Hubble Space Telescope underwent a face lift of sorts. The servicing mission replaced a number of aged and degrading parts. Another 11-day repair mission was conducted in 2009. However, deterioration is inevitable, and the Hubble will eventually stop working.

Scientists project that will take years to happen, so until then, they have a state of the art piece of technology that will continue to advance our knowledge of the universe and our place in it.

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