The Hubble Space Telescope marks its 35th anniversary, and NASA celebrates with a new gallery of images showcasing the solar system. Launched on April 24, 1990, Hubble faced initial issues with a flawed mirror but was successfully repaired in 1993, allowing it to revolutionize modern astronomy. It has since made nearly 1.7 million observations, producing over 22,000 peer-reviewed papers and 1.3 million citations.
Before Hubble, astronomers could only view half of the visible universe. Its groundbreaking discoveries, such as the age of ancient galaxies and the detection of dark energy, have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. Hubble’s images have also inspired a cultural impact, featuring in documentaries and artworks.
Hubble’s design allows for continuous upgrades, maintaining its operational status through innovative software and remote troubleshooting. Looking ahead, NASA plans to develop a successor, the Habitable Worlds Observatory, aimed at finding Earth-sized planets. Hubble’s legacy of ingenuity and exploration continues, inspiring curiosity about the universe.
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