Hubble Space Telescope celebrates 35 years of cosmic discovery

Humanity’s eyes on the universe

In April 2025, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope marks its 35th anniversary, celebrating over three decades of unparalleled contributions to our understanding of the universe. Since its launch in 1990, Hubble has revolutionised astronomy, providing sharp, detailed images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and planets and offering insights into the previously unimaginable cosmos.​

Before Hubble, ground-based telescopes were limited by Earth’s turbulent atmosphere, which blurred observations. Placing a telescope in space allowed astronomers to observe the universe with unprecedented clarity.

Hubble’s position above the atmosphere enabled it to capture images ten times sharper than ground-based telescopes, revealing celestial objects more than a billion times fainter than the human eye can detect. Its ability to observe across a broad spectrum, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, has provided a comprehensive view of the universe, unfiltered by atmospheric interference.​

Hubble’s impact on science is profound. The telescope has made nearly 1.7 million observations of approximately 55,000 astronomical targets, leading to over 22,000 scientific papers and more than 1.3 million citations as of early 2025. The data collected, totalling over 400 terabytes, is a valuable resource for researchers worldwide. Despite the advent of newer observatories, Hubble remains one of the most in-demand telescopes, with observing time still oversubscribed by a factor of six.​

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To commemorate its 35th anniversary, NASA and the ESA have released new images showcasing Hubble’s capabilities and the wonders of the universe. These images include:​

• Mars: Captured between December 28 and 30, 2024, Hubble’s images reveal thin water-ice clouds and a frosty appearance as the planet enters Martian spring.​
• Planetary Nebula NGC 2899: This image showcases a bipolar outflow of gas propelled by a white dwarf at the centre, with a fragmented ring structure resembling a half-eaten doughnut.​
• Rosette Nebula: A detailed view of a star-forming region 5,200 light-years away, highlighting dark clouds of hydrogen gas and dust, sculpted by radiation from nearby stars.​
• Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 5335: This image reveals a galaxy with patchy star formation and a central bar structure that channels gas inward, fuelling new stars.​

Hubble’s long operational life has allowed astronomers to witness dynamic changes in the universe. The telescope has observed seasonal variations on planets, black hole jets moving at nearly the speed of light, and the birth and death of stars. Notably, Hubble’s deep-field observations have unveiled galaxies dating back to the early universe, providing insights into cosmic evolution.​

One of Hubble’s significant contributions was discovering the most distant star ever observed, Earendel. Located 12.9 billion light-years away, Earendel’s light has travelled through space for nearly the entire universe age. This discovery was made possible through gravitational lensing, where the gravity of a massive object magnifies the light from a more distant source.​

Hubble’s legacy extends beyond its discoveries. The telescope’s observations have paved the way for future space observatories, most notably the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Hubble’s detailed images of distant galaxies provided the foundation for JWST’s mission to explore the universe in the infrared spectrum. Together, Hubble and JWST continue to enhance our understanding of the cosmos, from forming stars and planets to studying exoplanets and searching for life beyond Earth.​

Even as newer technologies emerge, Hubble remains a vital tool in modern astronomy. Its unique capabilities complement other observatories, allowing for a multi-wavelength approach to studying the universe. Hubble’s observations continue to inform and inspire scientists and the public, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of space exploration and discovery.​

As Hubble enters its fourth decade of operation, its contributions to science and our understanding of the universe are far from over. With ongoing observations and discoveries on the horizon, Hubble’s legacy as a trailblazer in space exploration remains secure. The telescope’s enduring presence in Earth’s orbit is a testament to human ingenuity and the unyielding quest for knowledge.​

Image: In celebration of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s 35 years in Earth orbit, the European Space Agency (ESA) released this assortment of compelling images on April 23, 2025, that were recently taken by Hubble. Composite shows four Hubble images in quarters. At the top left is a crisp view of Mars in shades of orange, blue, and brown. At the top right is the planetary nebula NGC 2899, which is shaped like a single macaroni noodle. Its central torus appears semi-transparent, blue/green, and its top and bottom edges are orange. At the bottom left is a tiny portion of the Rosette Nebula. A very dark grey material, shaped like a V, takes up the centre. At the bottom right is a barred spiral galaxy, NGC 5335, with a milky yellow centre that forms a bar surrounded by multiple blue star-filled spirals that wrap counterclockwise. Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI