Hubble Space Telescope: The first of its kind

 The Hubble Space Telescope, launched on April 24, 1990, is a scientific marvel that has significantly advanced our understanding of the universe. Named after the American astronomer Edwin Hubble, the telescope is a collaborative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). It is widely considered one of the most important scientific instruments ever built.

The project began in the 70s with the proposal and design of the telescope. The main objective was to build a telescope that could operate outside Earth's atmosphere, as the atmosphere distorts the images. In order to achieve this, the telescope would have to be placed in space, specifically in low Earth orbit. The telescope's design called for a 2.4-meter primary mirror, allowing it to capture images with a resolution ten times greater than any ground-based telescope. Additionally, the telescope was designed to make observations in the ultraviolet and infrared ranges, allowing the study of celestial objects in previously impossible ways.

                                                                Hubble Telescope

The telescope was launched into orbit aboard the space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990, and deployed in space by the shuttle crew. However, soon after the launch, it was discovered that the telescope's primary mirror had been ground to the wrong shape, resulting in blurry images. A servicing mission was quickly planned, and in 1993, the space shuttle Endeavour was sent to the telescope to correct the problem.

Since its launch, the Hubble Space Telescope has been used to study a wide range of astronomical objects, including galaxies, stars, and planets. It has been used to study the origins of galaxies, stars' life cycles, and planets' properties in other solar systems. The telescope has also been used to study the universe's largest structures, such as galaxy clusters and superclusters, which have provided insights into the universe's early history and the nature of dark matter.

One of the most significant contributions of the Hubble Space Telescope has been its ability to measure the expansion rate of the universe and the discovery of dark energy. This mysterious force is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate. This discovery has been a breakthrough in cosmology and has led to a better understanding of the nature of the universe and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.

In closing, the Hubble Space Telescope has been one of the most important scientific instruments ever built, providing invaluable insights into the nature of the universe and advancing our understanding of the cosmos. The telescope's ability to capture images in the ultraviolet

-Sanskar(MS21234)