Telescopes
Hubble Space Telescope
An orbiting observatory studying the universe in ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared light.
Why it matters
Hubble links detailed images with measurements that probe stars, galaxies and cosmic expansion.
Specific hardware / optics
Overview
Hubble was launched in 1990 and was designed for astronaut servicing. Its observations combine a stable space platform with several scientific instruments; the telescope is not a single camera.
Educational reference, reviewed . This page is not a live mission-status report.
How it works
A primary and secondary mirror focus light into instruments. Pointing systems hold targets steady while detectors record images or spectra for transmission to Earth.
Why it matters
Hubble links detailed images with measurements that probe stars, galaxies and cosmic expansion.
Key facts & specifications
Values apply only to the hardware or configuration described. Unverified measurements are omitted.
- Aperture
- 2.4 m
NASA · Hubble design ↗ - Setting
- Earth orbit
NASA · Hubble design ↗
Illustration gallery
Original educational diagrams, not photographs of specific hardware.
Cosmic Civilizations · original educational vector illustration
Original artwork created for Cosmic Civilizations; no agency imagery or endorsement.
Real-world applications
- Deep-field observations
- stellar spectroscopy
Read the primary references for the original mission context and technical limits.
Continue exploring
Space Academy: Red Giants and White Dwarfs
Sources & further reading
Agency references are educational citations, not endorsements. Editorial diagrams are original artwork; community uploads appear separately below and do not inherit these credits or permissions.
Community Picture Gallery
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