Science Behind the Discoveries

Indulge your curiosity and dive into the fundamental science that is the foundation of Hubble’s observations. Discover how Hubble uses different wavelengths of light to reveal much more information than the human eye can see, then explore the individual components of that light as you learn about spectroscopy. Finally, learn how these pieces are brought together to create Hubble’s iconic images.

Quick Facts

Hubble can see wavelengths of light ranging from the ultraviolet, through the visible, and into the near-infrared.

HST Electromagnetic Spectrum - horizontal

Hubble took the first ultraviolet image of an exoplanet, observing a still-forming, Jupiter-sized planet coalescing from material around a young star.

Blue background. Center of image is a disk blocking the light of a star. Below and just to the left of the disk, at about seven o'clock, is a bright white point. This is PDS 70b.

Hubble observed a single point in the sky for a million seconds to capture the Hubble Ultra Deep Field image.

a myriad of colorful galaxies, in all shapes, sizes, and forms, dot the image

In a Different Light

Learn how Hubble uses different wavelengths of light to explore the universe.

Human eyes are sensitive to a small portion of available light called the visible spectrum. Hubble sees that visible light as well, but it also goes beyond visible wavelengths and delves into the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. Learn how Hubble uses those different wavelengths of light to explore the universe.

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Hubble observations of Carina Nebula section
Dubbed “Mystic Mountain,” this is a small portion of the Carina Nebula. The image features towers of cool hydrogen gas laced with dust. Brilliant nearby stars are eating away at the three-light-year-tall pillar. The pillar is also pushed apart from within, as infant stars buried inside fire off jets of gas that stream left and right from its peak.
NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)
visible , Three giant pillars of rusty colored dust and gas with a blueish green background.
infrared , Star-filled view with faint outlines of gas clouds.

Visible & infrared

Revealing More Cosmic Landscapes

Many will recognize this popular image of a portion of the Eagle Nebula, but there's also a lesser-known second image that reveals more about this cosmic landscape. Move the slider from left to right to reveal the image in visible and infrared light.

Time Travel: Observing Cosmic History

Learn how Hubble can act as a time machine revealing distant cosmic objects as they appeared in the past.

Light takes time to reach Hubble, because it travels great distances. That means images captured by Hubble today, show what the objects looked like years ago!

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A collection of galaxies. On the right side a large spiral galaxy with swirling, twisted arms is flanked by a smaller, but still detailed, spiral behind its arm on the left, and a smaller spiral above it. On the left side is a fourth, round spiral galaxy seen face-on. Between them lies a single bright star. Several stars and distant galaxies dot the background.
This image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features a richness of spiral galaxies: the large, prominent spiral galaxy on the right side of the image is NGC 1356; the two apparently smaller spiral galaxies flanking it are LEDA 467699 (above it) and LEDA 95415 (very close at its left) respectively; and finally, IC 1947 sits along the left side of the image.
ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton, Dark Energy Survey/DOE/FNAL/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA; Acknowledgment: L. Shatz

Creating Hubble Images

Hubble's iconic images are more than pretty pictures. Discover how image processers use Hubble's data to create the gorgeous images we know and love.

Nature's Boost: Gravitational Lenses

Learn how gravity boosts Hubble's view of the universe.

The gravity of massive objects warps space and time, creating a lens that provides astronomers with a powerful tool to extend our view into previously unseen regions of the universe.

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Black background is dotted with distant galaxies. Image center holds a cluster of galaxies, many of the appear to be large elliptical galaxies. Curved orange-yellow lines appear to cut through the galaxy cluster. These are more distant galaxies gravitationally lensed by the cluster.
This extraordinary Hubble image of the galaxy cluster Abell 2813 spectacularly demonstrates gravitational lensing. The tiny dots, spirals, and ovals are galaxies that belong to the cluster. Abell 2813's gravity is acting as a lens, distorting and magnifying light of galaxies beyond Abell 2813 into crescents and s-shaped curves.
ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Coe

Hubble’s Universe

118 Images
A combintation of yellow, brown, red, and blue/violet colored gas intermixed with blue and yellow stars.
Arms swirl of new blue stars around a central region of older yellow stars in this galaxy image.
Bright blue aurora circle the top of Jupiter's north pole.
Thousands of galaxies float in a small section of space.
A colorful red, orange, and brown and dust cloud with a bright blue star cluster on the right side.
A swirling dense galaxy with thick dust clouds surrounds a central region of older yellow stars whose front half appears darker, resembling a black eye.
A cluster of yellow galaxies with hundreds of background galaxies. The image include arcs that are distorted images of background galaxies.
Two galaxies interacting that look like mice with tails.
A massive cluster of blue, red, yellow, and white stars.
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Explore More Hubble

  • Two medical workers in white coats work at an imaging machine. A patient in a hospital gown lies on a platform on top of the machine.

    Impact & Benefits

    Hubble's mission is to capture observations of the universe, but its technology would alter life on the ground in unique and unexpected ways.

  • Astronaut in a white space suit tethered to the Hubble Space Telescope floating in space.

    Hubble Servicing Missions

    Hubble’s serviceable design and modular components enabled upgrades that took advantage of advancements in technology.

  • An astronaut stands in front of a background of a nebula against a deep field of galaxies. The words "Name That Nebula" hovers above.

    Hubble Online Activities

    Find your Hubble birthday image, take interactive tours, play games, and discover the universe with Hubble.

  • Upper left: "Hubble Focus" opening of the telescope is the "O" Center: bright-white star, Center Bottom: Orange-red planet with cloud bands, Center: small, bright-white star and very small red-orange dwarf star

    Hubble E-books

    Investigate the mysteries of the universe, or dive into Hubble's history with our free, downloadable e-books.