Space Telescopes
⭐ MasteredSpace telescopes like Hubble and James Webb see the universe clearly from above Earth's atmosphere. They have shown us distant galaxies and newborn stars.
Hubble was launched in 1990.
All about Space Telescopes
Space telescopes are telescopes that orbit above Earth. Because they are above the atmosphere, they can see the universe without blurring from air and without being blocked by clouds. The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, has taken many famous images.
The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, observes mostly in infrared light. It can see very distant galaxies from the early universe and look inside clouds where new stars are forming.
Telescopes like Hubble have sent back stunning images of distant galaxies, nebulae and planets. Looking from space lets them see the universe much more clearly than telescopes on the ground.
Space telescopes can observe different kinds of light, such as ultraviolet, infrared and X-rays, which are blocked by the atmosphere before they reach the ground. These observations help scientists understand how stars and galaxies form and change.
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Real-life uses of Space Telescopes
- Photographing distant galaxies and nebulae
- Studying planets orbiting other stars
- Looking back in time to the early universe
Frequently asked questions about Space Telescopes
Why is Hubble so important?
It has made thousands of scientific discoveries and produced some of the most famous images of space.
What is infrared light?
Light with a longer wavelength than visible light, which we feel as heat. Some telescopes use it to see through dust.
Can I see what Hubble sees?
Yes. Many of its images are publicly available on space agency websites.