A detailed metadata record chronicling the Hubble Space Telescope's journey, its scientific triumphs, and its poetic legacy in exploring the cosmos.
story
name
Hubble Space Telescope
launch_date
1990-04-24T08:33:51Z
mission
To capture high-resolution images and spectra of celestial objects, advancing our understanding of the universe's structure, evolution, and mysteries.
specifications
telescope_type
Ritchey-Chrétien Reflector
mirror_diameter
2.4 meters
orbital_altitude
547 kilometers
wavelength_range
115–2500 nanometers (UV, Visible, Near-Infrared)
instruments
Wide Field Camera 3
Cosmic Origins Spectrograph
Advanced Camera for Surveys
Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph
Fine Guidance Sensors
key_discoveries
name
Hubble Deep Field
year
1995
description
A 10-day exposure in a seemingly empty patch of sky, revealing over 3,000 galaxies, some dating back to the universe's infancy, 12 billion years ago.
impact
Redefined our understanding of galaxy formation and the scale of the universe.
name
Supernova 1987A
year
1994
description
Captured detailed images of the supernova's expanding debris, offering clues about the life cycles of massive stars and nucleosynthesis.
impact
Provided critical data on supernova evolution and cosmic chemistry.
name
Dark Energy Discovery
year
1998
description
Observations of Type Ia supernovae helped confirm the universe's accelerating expansion, pointing to the existence of dark energy.
impact
Earned the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for contributing teams.
name
Pillars of Creation
year
1995
description
Iconic image of star-forming gas columns in the Eagle Nebula (M16), revisited in 2014 with sharper detail.
impact
Inspired public awe and advanced studies of star formation.
milestones
event
Launch
date
1990-04-24
description
Deployed by Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31).
event
First Servicing Mission
date
1993-12-02
description
Corrected flawed primary mirror with COSTAR optics, restoring Hubble's vision.
event
Final Servicing Mission
date
2009-05-11
description
Upgraded with new instruments and repairs, extending Hubble's life.
poem
title
Ode to Hubble's Light
text
Above the Earth, in silent flight,
Hubble gazes through cosmic night.
A mirror vast, to stars it bends,
Where time and light forever blend.
Through nebulae, where stars are born,
Its lens unveils the cosmic morn.
Supernovae, with fiery grace,
Etch tales of life in boundless space.
From Deep Field's gaze, so far, so wide,
Galaxies bloom where dreams reside.
A speck of sky, a truth profound,
In Hubble’s sight, the stars are found.
Oh, telescope, with patient eye,
You chart the heavens, never shy.
Your images, a poet’s call,
Reveal the truth: we’re one with all.
attributes
trait_type
Telescope Type
value
Optical Reflector
trait_type
Orbit
value
Low Earth Orbit
trait_type
Operators
value
NASA/ESA
trait_type
Wavelengths
value
Ultraviolet, Visible, Near-Infrared
trait_type
Launch Vehicle
value
Space Shuttle Discovery
trait_type
Key Instrument
value
Wide Field Camera 3
trait_type
Scientific Impact
value
Dark Energy Discovery
legacy
Launched on April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope overcame initial setbacks to become a cornerstone of modern astronomy. Its flawed mirror, corrected in 1993, opened a window to the universe, capturing images of distant galaxies, supernovae, and nebulae with unprecedented clarity. Hubble’s data has fueled thousands of scientific papers, confirmed the universe’s age at 13.8 billion years, and inspired generations with images like the Pillars of Creation. Orbiting 547 kilometers above Earth, it continues to probe the cosmos, complementing the James Webb Space Telescope and leaving a legacy of wonder and discovery.