Instructions

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST).

Assignment 5

Due to massive cutbacks in funding, the Hubble Telescope operation is in jeopardy of being shut down. For more information about Hubble, just to get you going, you may wish to visit this site: hubblesite.org.

As young astronomers you do not want this to happen.

make compelling written piece outlining why shutting down Hubble would be a calamity. Feel free to use any information presented in previous lectures (early history and key scientific principles) for your arguments. To make a strong argument you might want to present an overview of the history of the HST and to cite its major accomplishments as well as plans for future endeavors.

You will probably want to refer to the (James Webb Space Telescope) JWST and how it fits into the science being carried out by the HST. While this assignment is to focus on the HST there should be no hesitation comparing it to the JWST in terms of size, location and expectations.

why shutting down Hubble Space Telescope (HST) would be a calamity.

It should have

1. an argument for keeping Hubble in operation.
2. one currently unanswered question about the universe that will likely be answered with the help of the HST technology.

expand the essay and reword it to sound better

Introduction

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has looked up at the stars in wonder, seeking to understand the cosmos and our place within it. The invention of the telescope in the early 17th century marked a monumental leap in our ability to observe the universe, but it was not until the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 1990 that we could peer into the cosmos with unprecedented clarity, free from the distortion of Earth's atmosphere. Named after Edwin Hubble, whose discoveries expanded our understanding of the universe, the HST has revolutionized astronomy, providing insights into the universe's age, the existence of dark energy, and the presence of supermassive black holes. This essay explores the journey of the Hubble Space Telescope from concept to a cornerstone of astronomical discovery, highlighting its challenges, triumphs, and the enduring legacy in the era of space exploration

Genesis and Challenges

The journey of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) began with Lyman Spitzer's visionary concept in 1946. Spitzer, a pioneering astrophysicist, advocated for a space-based observatory in his seminal paper, "Astronomical advantages of an extraterrestrial observatory." He argued that observing the universe from space would eliminate atmospheric distortions, enabling clearer and more detailed views of the cosmos. This idea, however, faced numerous challenges, including technological limitations, budgetary constraints, and skepticism from both the scientific community and policymakers. It took over three decades of advocacy, development, and planning before the project received the green light. The construction of HST was a collaborative effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and various contractors, showcasing an unprecedented level of international cooperation in space exploration. Despite the excitement surrounding its potential, the Hubble project encountered delays and budget overruns, culminating in a postponed launch following the tragic Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986.

Early Setbacks and Triumphs

Upon its launch in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope's early days were marred by a significant setback: the discovery that its primary mirror had a flaw, a spherical aberration that blurred the images. This issue, stemming from a testing error during the mirror's manufacturing, cast doubt on the telescope's potential. However, the first servicing mission in 1993, dubbed STS-61, marked a historic achievement in space exploration. Astronauts performed spacewalks to install the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) and the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), effectively compensating for the mirror's flaw. This mission not only restored Hubble's vision but also demonstrated the feasibility of servicing and upgrading satellites in orbit, a triumph of human ingenuity and resilience.

Technological Triumphs

The subsequent servicing missions, each a complex undertaking, progressively enhanced Hubble's capabilities. The second servicing mission in 1997 installed the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS), expanding Hubble's observational range. The fourth servicing mission in 2009 was particularly noteworthy, as astronauts installed the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), among other upgrades. These instruments significantly improved Hubble's sensitivity and resolution, enabling it to observe the universe in unprecedented detail across a wider range of wavelengths.

Groundbreaking Discoveries

Estimation of the Universe's Age

Utilizing the observations of Cepheid variable stars, Hubble played a critical role in refining the estimate of the universe's age to approximately 13.8 billion years. This landmark discovery has provided a fundamental cornerstone for the field of cosmology, allowing scientists to better understand the universe's expansion rate (Livio, 2009).

Unveiling Dark Energy

In 1998, Hubble's observations were instrumental in the discovery of dark energy, a mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. This breakthrough has profound implications for our understanding of the universe's fate and the nature of its constituent forces, reshaping the landscape of cosmological research (CBS News, 2015).

Confirming Supermassive Black Holes

Hubble's data confirmed the existence of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. By studying the motion of gas and stars near these galactic centers, Hubble provided compelling evidence for these massive entities, offering valuable insights into galaxy formation and dynamics (Hardwood, 2015).

Future Endeavors

The Hubble Space Telescope's legacy is set to continue through its collaboration with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in December 2021. Together, these observatories will offer complementary perspectives of the universe, with Hubble providing detailed observations in the ultraviolet and visible spectra, and JWST focusing on the infrared. This synergy will enable a more comprehensive understanding of cosmic phenomena, from the formation of stars and galaxies to the characteristics of exoplanets.

Conclusion

The Hubble Space Telescope stands as a monumental achievement in space exploration, overcoming initial setbacks to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Through its technological advancements and groundbreaking discoveries, Hubble has not only expanded our cosmic horizons but also underscored the importance of perseverance, innovation, and international cooperation in the pursuit of knowledge. As we look to the future, Hubble's enduring legacy reminds us of the boundless possibilities that await in the quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.

Works Cited

• Spitzer, Lyman Jr. "Astronomical advantages of an extraterrestrial observatory."Exploration of the Universe. NASA, 1946.
• Dunar, Andrew J., and Stephen P. Waring.Power to Explore: A History of Marshall Space Flight Center 1960-1990. NASA, 1999.
• Smith, Robert W.The Space Telescope: A Study of NASA, Science, Technology, and Politics. Cambridge University Press, 1989.
• CBS News. "Top 5 Discoveries from the Hubble Space Telescope." CBS News, 21 April 2015.
• Hardwood, William. "Will Hubble Last Another 5 Years?" CBS News, 23 April 2015.
• Livio, Mario. "Hubble's Top Five Scientific Achievements." Plus Magazine, 1 June 2009.
• NASA. "Hubble Space Telescope." NASA, 9 September 2008.
• Okolski, Gabriel. "A Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope." NASA History, 18 April 2008.
• Wall, Mike. "Hubble Telescope Looks to the Future After 23 Years in Space." Space.com, 24 April 2013.