The Orbiting Hubble Space Telescope
Credit:
The
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the largest orbiting public
optical telescope
in history. Its 2.4 meter diameter reflecting mirror and its perch
above Earth's
atmosphere allow it to create exceptionally sharp images.
Originally
launched in 1990, HST optics were repaired to their intended
accuracy in 1993 by the first of several regular servicing missions.
Astronomers using HST continue to make numerous monumental scientific
discoveries, including
new estimates of the age of our universe,
previously unknown galaxies,
evidence of massive black holes in the centers of galaxies,
previously unknown moons,
and a better understanding of
physical processes in our universe.