Location of the hubble telescope
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Location of the Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope Orbit
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is positioned in a low Earth orbit, approximately 350 miles (about 560 kilometers) above the Earth's surface . This altitude allows the telescope to avoid atmospheric distortions and light pollution, providing clearer and more detailed images of the universe.
Deployment and Maintenance
The Hubble Space Telescope was deployed by the Space Shuttle Discovery in April 1990. It orbits the Earth in a circular path with an inclination of 28.5 degrees, which allows it to cover a wide range of celestial objects. The telescope's position in space has been maintained and upgraded through a series of servicing missions conducted by astronauts, ensuring its continued operation and enhanced capabilities.
Technical Specifications
The Hubble Space Telescope is a large optical instrument with a length of 13.1 meters and a diameter of 4.27 meters, weighing approximately 11,000 kilograms. It features a primary mirror with a diameter of 2.4 meters, which is crucial for its high-resolution imaging capabilities. The telescope's precise pointing stability, achieved through fine guidance sensors, allows it to capture images with an angular resolution of about 0.1 arcseconds.
Scientific Contributions
From its vantage point in space, the Hubble Space Telescope has made significant contributions to various fields of astronomy. It has imaged over 30,000 celestial objects and taken more than 570,000 pictures, revolutionizing our understanding of planetary science, cosmology, and the structure of the universe. The telescope's instruments, including wide-field and planetary cameras, spectrographs, and photometers, enable it to observe a wide range of wavelengths from ultraviolet to near-infrared .
Conclusion
The Hubble Space Telescope's location in low Earth orbit, combined with its advanced technical specifications and regular maintenance, has made it one of the most powerful and enduring astronomical observatories. Its contributions to science have been profound, providing insights into the cosmos that were previously unattainable.
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