15 of the Best Photos From the Hubble Space Telescope For Its 30th Birthday
The Hubble Space Telescope was first launched into space on the 24th of April 1990. Since that fateful day, the images it has sent back to Earth have been truly awe-inspiring.
From far off galaxies to exploding stars, the space photography catalog of this technological treasure has expanded our knowledge of the universe incalculably. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, here are some of the amazing images the telescope has captured throughout its existence.
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What are some cool photos of space from the Hubble Space Telescope?
And so, without further ado here are some interesting examples of space photography from the Hubble Space Telescope. This list is far from exhaustive and is in no particular order.
1. This is one very cool Hubble image
#Hubble30 At the center of the Lagoon Nebula, imaged by Hubble in 2018, a young star 200,000 times brighter than our Sun is blasting powerful ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds, carving shapes out of the surrounding gas and dust: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/MusaIrd0s7
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 22, 2020
Taken in 2018 by the Hubble Space Telescope, this image of the center of the Lagoon Nebula is, quite simply, breathtaking. The nebula is around a vast stellar nursery that is located around 4,000 light-years away from Earth.
The image was taken on the telescope's 28th anniversary.
2. This image of the Bubble Nebula is also amazing to see
Here is another stunning image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. This time the telescope managed to zero in on the Bubble Nebula, a nebula about 7 light-years away from us.
3. The Horseshoe Nebula is quite photogenic we must say
Here is yet another amazing image of space taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. A popular target for many a budding and professional astronomer, the nebula is very stunning to look at.
4. An amazing Hubble image full of stars
#Hubble30 Released in 2015, this Hubble image reveals Westerlund 2, a cluster of about 3,000 stars nestled in a stellar breeding ground. Only about 2 million years old, the cluster contains some of our galaxy's hottest, brightest, and most massive stars: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/drj87KUjNF
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 19, 2020
This image shows a massive cluster of around 3,000 stars within a stellar nursery called the "Westerlund 2".
5. The Monkey Head Nebula doesn't look real
#Hubble30 In 2014 Hubble imaged this small part of the Monkey Head Nebula. Ultraviolet light from massive, young stars near the center of the nebula helps carve the nebula's dust into giant pillars: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/hxgTqzmxJ0
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 18, 2020
This amazing Hubble Space Telescope image of the so-called Monkey Head Nebula. This enormous gathering of massive baby stars can be found around 6,400 light-years from Earth.
6. Arp 273 "Galactic Rose" is a sight for sore eyes indeed
#Hubble30 Hubble released this image of the “galactic rose” Arp 273 in 2011. The largest galaxy has a disk that is distorted into a rose-like shape by the gravity of the galaxy below it. Glowing star clusters in the galaxy’s arms resemble blue jewels: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/ReHCPToRJM
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 15, 2020
If you needed any more inspiration to grab yourself a telescope and start stargazing, then this Hubble image of the "Galactic Rose" is all the excuse you'll ever need. This image actually shows two galaxies that are thought to have passed through one another.
7. This beautiful Hubble image is of the Carina Nebula
#Hubble30 This Hubble image of the Carina Nebula, released in 2007, captures a maelstrom of star birth. Features in the nebula are sculpted by the outflowing winds and scorching ultraviolet radiation from the massive, young stars that inhabit it: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/FRs4IkiWCy
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 11, 2020
Captured in 2007, this stunning Hubble image is of the Carina Nebula. The nebula is around 300 light-years across and is 7,500 light-years away, give or take.
8. Here is an image of an exploded star
#Hubble30 Hubble released this image of the planetary nebula NGC 6751 in 2000. Glowing in the constellation Aquila like an eye, the nebula is a cloud of gas ejected several thousand years ago from the star at its center. It is nearly a light-year across: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/yc7VTrVPnQ
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 4, 2020
Released in the year 2000, this amazing image of NGC 6751 beautifully demonstrates the remnants of a star that exploded several thousand years ago. The entire gas cloud is around 1 light-year across.
9. This Hubble image of Barnard's Merope Nebula is very spooky indeed
#OTD 20 years ago, Hubble captured this #HubbleClassic image showing the eerie, wispy tendrils of an interstellar cloud being destroyed by the star Merope, one of the brightest members in the Pleiades cluster (also known as the "Seven Sisters"). https://t.co/wClUAPrEVe pic.twitter.com/DS804Byd71
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) September 19, 2019
This amazing Hubble image of the interstellar cloud being destroyed by the star Merope clearly illustrates the dynamic nature of space. It really does show the true power of nature.
10. This is what Jupiter's auroras look like
Hubble Captures Vivid Auroras in Jupiter’s Atmosphere ?️?
— Scott Hefti ? (@Havenlust) April 21, 2020
Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. Nichols (University of Leicester) pic.twitter.com/jad9K32sxw
This amazing Hubble image managed to capture Jupiter's amazing auroras.
11. Hubble's image of the Southern Crab Nebula is amazing
#Hubble30 Hubble caught this view of the Southern Crab Nebula in 2019. The nebula’s nested hourglass-shaped structures were sculpted by two stars whirling around each other. Bubbles of gas and dust appear brightest at the edges, resembling crab legs: https://t.co/SO4bzuLqi8 pic.twitter.com/y7xJ8R2F8Z
— Hubble (@NASAHubble) April 23, 2020
The Southern Crab Nebula might be one of the most amazing Hubble images ever captured.
12. The Veil Nebula really is something out of this world
The Veil Nebula is a large supernova remnant located 2,100 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus.
— Space Explorer Mike (@MichaelGalanin) April 17, 2020
Image credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team pic.twitter.com/wQY5yPLwnh
Check out this image of the Veil Nebula.
13. This is a great Hubble image
Here's one of my favourite images taken by @HUBBLE_space , of Cepheid variable star RS Puppis. #HappyBirthdayHubble #Hubble30 ? pic.twitter.com/rjB0UykB7E
— Heather Bennett (@HeatherABenn) April 24, 2020
This amazing Hubble image is of the Cepheid variable star RS Puppis.
14. The Orion Nebula is really beautiful
Give yourself a gift: the present moment.
— Inoue Haruo (@HAL909) April 21, 2020
Marcus Aurelius
The Orion Nebula, the Hubble Space Telescope pic.twitter.com/SMaquYwkbC
This image of the Orion Nebula would make a great wallpaper for your computer.
15. Here is another stunning show-stopper from Hubble
V838 Monocerotis. In January 2002, the star seen at center flared to become one of our galaxy’s most luminous. This view from two years later captures surrounding dust shells lit up by the eruption.
— Space Explorer Mike (@MichaelGalanin) April 20, 2020
Credit: NASA/ESA/The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) pic.twitter.com/qQ7M8Juu3l
And finally, this amazing Hubble image of V838 Monocerotis is really cool.
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