Hubble Space Telescope

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Hubble Space Telescope

How the Hubble Space Telescope works—and why it's important

Hubble Space Telescope

astronauts John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2002

Sagittarius star cloud

How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?

Compare Hubble and James Webb space telescope images

Hubble Space Telescope

For Students

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope summary

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The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered

Computer mapping, woman at early 1990s computer

Timeline of the 1990s

Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)

How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?

Apollo 11 Lunar Module with its four landing-gear footpads deployed. This photograph was taken from the Command Module as the two spacecraft moved apart above the Moon.

5 Unforgettable Moments in the History of Spaceflight and Space Exploration

Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration

Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

Discover

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Easter Procession of Maria Santisima del Sacromonte in Granada, Spain. This statue is known as Virgen de los Gitanos or The Virgin of the Gypsies.

What is Holy Week?

July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.

Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?

Battle of the Alamo from "Texas: An Epitome of Texas History from the Filibustering and Revolutionary Eras to the Independence of the Republic, 1897. Texas Revolution, Texas revolt, Texas independence, Texas history.

6 Wars of Independence

Two chicks near an egg with a white background (poultry, chick, chickens, birds).

What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

Groups of depositors in front of the closed American Union Bank, New York City. April 26, 1932. Great Depression run on bank crowd

Causes of the Great Depression

Hubble Space Telescope: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Hubble Captures Full View of Uranus’s Rings on Edge • Apr. 18, 2025, 3:57 AM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Hubble Catches Jupiter’s Largest Moon Going to the ‘Dark Side’ • Apr. 17, 2025, 11:13 PM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Dark Spot on Neptune • Apr. 17, 2025, 11:08 PM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Hubble Space Telescope Releases New Anniversary Image of Iconic Galaxy • Apr. 17, 2025, 5:45 AM ET (Newsweek)

Hubble Finds Double Einstein Ring • Apr. 16, 2025, 2:02 AM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Photos and Videos

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope

astronauts John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2002

Sagittarius star cloud

Hubble Space Telescope

gravitational lens

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

How the Hubble Space Telescope works—and why it's important

How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?

$Understand how diffraction of light affects stellar images$

Top five milestones in space exploration history

Understand gravitational lenses and the importance of tracking the dark matter

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Quiz

View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).

Astronomy and Space Quiz

Alberto Santos-Dumont. Postcard of Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont's (1873-1932) airship or dirigible and Eiffel Tower. The Santos Dumont Air-Ship rounding the Eiffel Tower; on Octoboer 19th 1901. airplane

A History of Everyday Technology in 68 Quiz Questions

List

Apollo 11 Lunar Module with its four landing-gear footpads deployed. This photograph was taken from the Command Module as the two spacecraft moved apart above the Moon.

5 Unforgettable Moments in the History of Spaceflight and Space Exploration

The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered