Happy 35th, Hubble! A Legacy of Cosmic Wonder and Mind-Blowing Discoveries

It’s hard to believe that the Hubble Space Telescope has been peering into the depths of the universe for 35 years. The telescope, which was famously launched with a broken mirror on April 24, 1990, had a rough start but went on to become one of the most transformative scientific instruments ever. It was launched on the Space Shuttle Discovery. Orbiting Earth roughly 340 miles above the surface, Hubble has given humanity front-row seats to the cosmos, capturing images of galaxies, nebulae, and phenomena previously unimaginable. On its 35th birthday, we look back at 10 awe-inspiring moments when Hubble reshaped our understanding of space.

1. The Pillars of Creation (1995)

Hubble’s image of towering gas and dust columns in the Eagle Nebula became an instant classic. Not only was it visually arresting, but it offered astronomers a detailed look at stellar nurseries—regions where new stars are born.

2. Revelations from the Deep Field (1995–2012)

The Hubble Deep Field and its successors (Ultra Deep Field and extreme Deep Field) revealed thousands of galaxies in a seemingly empty patch of sky. These images showed that the universe is far more crowded—and ancient—than anyone had imagined.

3. Supernovae and Dark Energy (1998)

Hubble’s observations of distant supernovae contributed to the shocking discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, leading scientists to propose the existence of dark energy—a mysterious force dominating cosmic dynamics.

4. The Bubble Nebula (2016)

The Bubble Nebula was perfectly captured by Hubble, which showed a massive star blowing an interstellar bubble through stellar winds. It was a stunning illustration of the strength of the stars. 5. The 2018 "Einstein Ring" One of Einstein's most perplexing predictions was confirmed by a gravitational lensing event that was perfectly captured by Hubble and caused light from a distant galaxy to be bent into a nearly perfect circle. 6. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot in Detail (1990s–2020s)

Hubble tracked changes in the size and color of Jupiter’s iconic storm system, helping scientists study planetary weather in real time—and observe that the storm is mysteriously shrinking.

7. The Infrared View from the Ultra Deep Field of Hubble

Using its new Wide Field Camera 3, Hubble pushed deeper into the infrared than ever before, revealing ancient galaxies formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

8. The Helix Nebula’s Eye (2003)

This planetary nebula, dubbed the “Eye of God,” showed Hubble’s ability to render astonishingly crisp images of dying stars and their gaseous remains in exquisite color.

9. Spectacular Saturn and Its Moons (Ongoing)

Hubble has regularly monitored Saturn, capturing stunning seasonal changes and even auroras dancing over its poles. Additionally, it has assisted in tracking its icy moons' dynamic movements. 10. A Cosmic Collision Course: The Antennae Galaxies (1997)

The chaotic dance of stars, gas, and dust seen in Hubble's images of two galaxies colliding shows what might happen when galaxies, like our own, combine in billions of years. A Legacy that Lives On

Though its younger sibling, the James Webb Space Telescope, now leads the charge into the cosmic frontier, Hubble remains fully operational and scientifically valuable. In fact, the two telescopes are working together, providing data that complements one another and promises even more in-depth understanding of the universe. As it celebrates its 35th year in orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope stands as a monument to human curiosity and perseverance. It didn’t just expand our view of the cosmos—it changed the way we see ourselves within it.

Hubble, here's to the next orbit around the Sun and the next astronomical mystery.