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The '''Hubble Space Telescope''' (HST) is a space [[telescope]] that was carried into [[orbit]] by a [The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle Space Shuttle] in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4-meter (7.9 ft) aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments [[observe]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_ultraviolet near ultraviolet], visible, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_infrared near infrared] spectra. The telescope is named after the astronomer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Hubble Edwin Hubble].

The '''Hubble Space Telescope''' (HST) is a space [[telescope]] that was carried into [[orbit]] by a [The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was carried into orbit by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle Space Shuttle] in 1990 and remains in operation. A 2.4-meter (7.9 ft) aperture telescope in low Earth orbit, Hubble's four main instruments [[observe]] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_ultraviolet near ultraviolet], visible, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_infrared near infrared] spectra. The telescope is named after the astronomer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Hubble Edwin Hubble].

Hubble's [[orbit]] outside the [[distortion]] of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images with almost no background light. Hubble's ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Deep_Field Deep Field]'' has recorded some of the most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing a deep view into [[space and time]]. Many Hubble observations have led to breakthroughs in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics astrophysics], such as accurately determining the rate of expansion of the universe.

Hubble's [[orbit]] outside the [[distortion]] of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images with almost no background light. Hubble's ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Deep_Field Deep Field]'' has recorded some of the most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing a deep view into [[space and time]]. Many Hubble observations have led to breakthroughs in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics astrophysics], such as accurately determining the rate of expansion of the universe.

Although not the first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most [[versatile]], and is well known as both a vital [[research]] tool and a [[public relations]] boon for [[astronomy]]. The HST was built by the United States space agency [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics NASA], with contributions from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Space_Agency European Space Agency], and is operated by the [[Space Telescope Science Institute]]. The HST is one of NASA's Great Observatories, along with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_Gamma_Ray_Observatory Compton Gamma Ray Observatory], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra_X-ray_Observatory Chandra X-ray Observatory], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitzer_Space_Telescope Spitzer Space Telescope].

Although not the first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most [[versatile]], and is well known as both a vital [[research]] tool and a [[public relations]] boon for [[astronomy]]. The HST was built by the United States space agency [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrophysics NASA], with contributions from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Space_Agency European Space Agency], and is operated by the [[Space Telescope Science Institute]]. The HST is one of NASA's Great Observatories, along with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_Gamma_Ray_Observatory Compton Gamma Ray Observatory], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra_X-ray_Observatory Chandra X-ray Observatory], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitzer_Space_Telescope Spitzer Space Telescope].

Space telescopes were proposed as early as 1923. Hubble was funded in the 1970s, with a proposed launch in 1983, but the project was beset by technical delays, budget problems, and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster Challenger disaster]. When finally launched in 1990, Hubble's main mirror was found to have been ground incorrectly, compromising the telescope's capabilities. The [[optics]] were corrected to their intended quality by a servicing mission in 1993.

Space telescopes were proposed as early as 1923. Hubble was funded in the 1970s, with a proposed launch in 1983, but the project was beset by technical delays, budget problems, and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster Challenger disaster]. When finally launched in 1990, Hubble's main mirror was found to have been ground incorrectly, compromising the telescope's capabilities. The [[optics]] were corrected to their intended quality by a servicing mission in 1993.

Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts. Between 1993 and 2002, four Space Shuttle missions repaired, upgraded, and replaced systems on the [[telescope]]; a fifth mission was canceled on safety grounds following the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia_disaster Columbia disaster]. However, after spirited public [[discussion]], NASA administrator Mike Griffin approved one final servicing mission, completed in 2009. The telescope is now expected to [[function]] until at least 2014, and possibly 2020. Its scientific successor, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webb_Space_Telescope James Webb Space Telescope] (JWST), is currently scheduled to be launched in 2018. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Space_Telescope]

Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts. Between 1993 and 2002, four Space Shuttle missions repaired, upgraded, and replaced systems on the [[telescope]]; a fifth mission was canceled on safety grounds following the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia_disaster Columbia disaster]. However, after spirited public [[discussion]], NASA administrator Mike Griffin approved one final servicing mission, completed in 2009. The telescope is now expected to [[function]] until at least 2014, and possibly 2020. Its scientific successor, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webb_Space_Telescope James Webb Space Telescope] (JWST), is currently scheduled to be launched in 2018. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Space_Telescope]

[[Category: Astronomy]]

[[Category: Astronomy]]