35 Years of Images
Celebrate Hubble's 35th anniversary with a countdown of images the observatory captured over its lifetime, one for each year in orbit.
Count down to Hubble’s 35th birthday with an iconic image from each year of the mission, leading up to a series of new anniversary images. Follow along on social media for daily updates!
35 Years of Hubble Images
Hubble after deployment with Earth Below
In this April 25, 1990 photograph taken with a handheld Hasselblad camera, most of the school-bus-sized Hubble Space Telescope is visible suspended in space by Discovery's Remote Manipulator System following the deployment of part of its solar panels and antennae. This was among the first photos NASA released on April 30 from the five-day STS-31 mission.
STS-31 Liftoff with Hubble in the Cargo Bay
The Hubble Space Telescope launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31), and deployed into Earth orbit the following day, marking the beginning of its 35 years of exploring the cosmos.
Year 1 - Major Storm on Saturn
These Hubble images show Saturn's white spot, a great storm in the planet's equatorial region, discovered by amateur astronomers in September, 1990. Such storms are rare: the last one previous to this storm in the equatorial region occurred in 1933. The storm extends completely around the planet, in some places appearing as great masses of clouds and in others as well organized turbulence. Knowing that this storm is probably a once in a lifetime event, scientists and engineers of a special White Spot Observing Team, the Wide Field/Planetary Camera Team, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and the Goddard Space Flight center reprogrammed Hubble's observing schedule and were able to get several days of Saturn observations in mid-November 1990, shortly before Saturn moved too near in the sky to the Sun for safe observations by Hubble.
Year 2 - Core and Jet of M87
Astronomers reported in 1992 that they found intriguing evidence that a black hole weighing over 2.6 billion times the mass of the Sun exists at the center of the giant elliptical galaxy M87, based upon images taken by Hubble. The images show that stars become strongly concentrated toward the center of M87, as if drawn into the center and held there by the gravitational field of a massive black hole. M87 is at the center of a nearby cluster of galaxies in the constellation of Virgo, 52 million light- years distant, and contains more than 100 billion stars. One of the brightest galaxies in the local universe, M87 is visible in even small telescopes.
Hubble History, Benefits, and Science
The History of Hubble
Since the time of Galileo and his telescope, astronomers have struggled with a constant obstacle to their view of the cosmos: Earth's atmosphere. But that changed with Hubble.
Hubble Timelines
Hubble History Timeline, Scientific Discoveries Timeline, and Servicing Missions Timeline.
Impacts and Benefits
Hubble became a household word by expanding our knowledge of the cosmos and for its spectacular images. But the telescope also impacted our technologies, industries, and culture.
Hubble Oral Histories
These oral history interviews document the experiences of individuals who were involved in every aspect of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope mission.
On The Shoulders of a Giant
Learn how Hubble and Webb work together to explore the cosmos. Their observations complement each other, providing us with a broad view of the universe.
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Hubble Observatory
Hubble's Design
Hubble is the first space-based observatory specifically designed for servicing while in orbit. Learn about its optics, instruments, pointing control, and other systems.
Hubble Mission Operations
The Space Telescope Operations Control Center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland is the engine that keeps Hubble operating 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Missions to Hubble
Five servicing missions extended Hubble's life and increased its capabilities. Hubble’s serviceable design and modular components enabled upgrades that took advantage of advancements in technology.
Hubble Science Highlights
Hubble has affected every area of astronomy. Its most notable scientific discoveries reflect the broad range of research and the breakthroughs it has achieved.
