Hubble Space Telescope observations of Earth
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Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Earth: Capabilities and Challenges
Hubble Space Telescope in Low Earth Orbit: Observing Earth and Its Atmosphere
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) orbits about 350–380 miles above Earth, allowing it to observe the planet from above the atmosphere and capture data in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths that are otherwise blocked or distorted for ground-based telescopes Endelman1991Αγγελοπουλοσ2016Leckrone2003+1 MORE. This unique vantage point enables Hubble to study Earth’s atmosphere and surface in ways not possible from the ground, especially in the ultraviolet range where the atmosphere is opaque Leckrone2003Duncombe1991.
Transmission Spectroscopy of Earth: Insights from Lunar Eclipses
Hubble has been used to observe Earth as if it were an exoplanet, particularly during lunar eclipses. In one notable study, Hubble’s STIS spectrograph captured the near-UV and optical transmission spectrum of Earth by observing sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere and reflecting off the Moon during a total lunar eclipse . This method revealed key atmospheric features, such as ozone (O3) absorption and Rayleigh scattering, which are important for identifying signs of life on exoplanets. The strongest ozone signatures were found in the near-UV, but the spectra in this region were mostly featureless due to the high absorption by ozone, highlighting the challenges in capturing these features during the brief window when sunlight passes through the ozone layer .
Stray Light and Satellite Contamination: Observational Challenges
Observing Earth from Hubble’s low Earth orbit presents challenges due to stray light from the planet, the Sun, and the Moon. Stray light can significantly affect the quality of sky observations, making it difficult to measure faint astronomical sources or the extragalactic background light. Studies have shown that the level of earthshine and weather conditions can influence the observed sky brightness, and machine learning models are being developed to predict and mitigate these effects .
Additionally, the increasing number of artificial satellites in low Earth orbit is causing more frequent contamination of Hubble’s images. Recent analyses found that about 2.7% of Hubble’s exposures are crossed by satellite trails, a fraction that is rising as more satellites are launched. This contamination can render some observations unusable and is expected to become a more significant issue in the future .
Hubble’s Instrumentation and Its Role in Earth Observations
Hubble is equipped with a 2.4-meter primary mirror and a suite of scientific instruments capable of high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy across a broad wavelength range, from ultraviolet to near-infrared Endelman1991Αγγελοπουλοσ2016Leckrone2003+1 MORE. Its ability to observe in the ultraviolet is particularly valuable for studying Earth’s atmosphere, as many important atmospheric features, such as ozone absorption, are only accessible from space Youngblood2020Leckrone2003Duncombe1991.
Conclusion
Hubble Space Telescope observations of Earth have provided unique insights into the planet’s atmosphere, especially through transmission spectroscopy during lunar eclipses, which helps inform the search for life on exoplanets. However, these observations face challenges from stray light and increasing satellite contamination. Despite these obstacles, Hubble’s advanced instrumentation and orbital position continue to make it a powerful tool for studying Earth and its atmosphere from space Youngblood2020Kruk2023Endelman1991+4 MORE.
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The Hubble Space Telescope's Near-UV and Optical Transmission Spectrum of Earth as an Exoplanet
The Hubble Space Telescope's STIS spectrograph observed the 2019 January total lunar eclipse to obtain the first near-UV observation of Earth as a transiting exoplanet, aiding future missions to search for life on exoplanets.
Hubble WFC3 Spectroscopy of the Habitable-zone Super-Earth LHS 1140 b
The Hubble Space Telescope's WFC3 spectroscopy suggests tentative evidence of water on the habitable-zone super-Earth LHS 1140b, but future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope could confirm or refute this detection.
The Hubble Space Telescope Before Launch: A Personal Perspective
The Hubble Space Telescope project, aimed at astronomical observations above the earth's atmosphere, has a history, major characteristics, and scientific expectations, with the main mission expected to launch in early 1990.
DOI
Toward a Data-driven Model of the Sky from Low Earth Orbit as Observed by the Hubble Space Telescope
Our machine-learning model accurately predicts total sky brightness from low Earth orbit observations, improving our understanding of extragalactic background light.
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