Polishing the mirror of the Hubble Telescope, 1980s
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Polishing the mirror of the Hubble Telescope, 1980s
Polishing the mirror of the Hubble Telescope, 1980s. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST), was designed to see seven times further into space than had been possible before, without the distortion caused by the earths atmosphere. HST is a reflecting telescope and its main mirror has a diameter of 2 1/2 meter. Work began in 1977 and HST was finally launched by Space Shuttle Discovery on 24 April 1990. Problems with its giant mirror meant that it did not initially work as well as expected. Corrective optics were installed in 1993, greatly improving the telescopes performance, enabling it to view the Universe in unprecedented detail
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14863145
© NASA/Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
1980s Eighties Exploration Hubble Space Telescope Innovation Mirror Nasa Optical Orbit Oxford Science Archive Polishing Reflecting Telescope Scientist Space Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Discovery Spacecraft Telescope
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a pivotal moment in the history of space exploration - the polishing of the mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope in the 1980s. Designed to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, this groundbreaking telescope was engineered to overcome atmospheric distortion and peer seven times further into space than ever before. The Hubble Space Telescope, with its impressive 2 1/2 meter diameter reflecting mirror, represented a remarkable feat of innovation and technology. However, upon its launch in April 1990 by Space Shuttle Discovery, it faced unexpected challenges due to problems with its giant mirror. Undeterred, scientists and engineers swiftly installed corrective optics in 1993, significantly enhancing its performance. This image showcases a dedicated scientist meticulously operating a polishing machine on this crucial component. The vibrant colors add an artistic touch to this scientific endeavor as we witness humanity's quest for knowledge unfolding against the backdrop of infinite space. As we delve into this photograph from Oxford Science Archive's collection, we are reminded not only of mankind's insatiable curiosity but also our unwavering determination to push boundaries and explore uncharted territories. The Hubble Space Telescope stands as an emblematic symbol of human ingenuity and serves as a testament to our relentless pursuit for answers about our place in the cosmos.
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