This year marks an incredible milestone: the Hubble Space Telescope has been exploring the universe for 35 years. To celebrate, NASA and ESA have released a stunning new collection of images that showcase everything from the frosty landscapes of Mars to dramatic stellar births and deaths — even a breathtaking view of a nearby galaxy.
After more than three decades in orbit, Hubble remains one of the most iconic telescopes in human history, reshaping our understanding of the cosmos like no other instrument before it.
A Window Beyond Earth's Atmosphere
Long before Hubble was launched, astronomers dreamed of placing a telescope beyond Earth's blurry, light-scattering atmosphere. They knew that doing so would unlock an entirely new level of clarity — and Hubble delivered beyond anyone’s imagination.
With a vision ten times sharper than the best ground-based telescopes of its time, Hubble could spot objects a billion times fainter than the dimmest stars visible to the naked eye. It wasn't just the clarity — the telescope could observe a wide range of light, from ultraviolet to near-infrared, free from atmospheric distortion.
Hubble became not just a scientific tool, but a symbol of human innovation, determination, and our endless curiosity about the universe.
A New Era of Discovery
Before Hubble, the vastness of space was mostly a matter of imagination. Images were grainy, distant, and incomplete. But Hubble changed that forever. It gave us breathtaking views that stretched all the way back to nearly the beginning of time itself.
This journey toward the cosmic frontier had started a century earlier, in the 1920s, when astronomer Edwin Hubble first discovered that galaxies existed beyond the Milky Way. Now, thanks to the telescope that bears his name, we could finally see those galaxies in vivid detail.
A Legacy Written in the Stars
Over the years, Hubble has made close to 1.7 million observations and studied approximately 55,000 astronomical targets. Its contributions have been monumental: generating over 22,000 scientific papers and more than 1.3 million citations as of early 2025.
Today, Hubble’s data archive has surpassed 400 terabytes and continues to grow, serving scientists all around the world. Observing time on Hubble is still highly competitive, with a 6:1 request-to-approval ratio, proving just how essential this telescope remains even after 35 years.
Hubble’s Emotional Impact
Beyond the numbers and discoveries, there’s something deeper: the emotional power of Hubble’s images. A single photograph from Hubble can make us feel awe, wonder, mystery — and even a little humility.
The swirling galaxies, star-forming regions, and glimpses into cosmic chaos aren't just beautiful; they remind us of our place in the universe. For this celebration, NASA and ESA released five specially selected images — a cosmic collection featuring planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies.
Looking Ahead: Hubble and Beyond
Hubble’s success didn’t just stop at its own achievements. It paved the way for a new generation of space exploration, inspiring the creation of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Without Hubble uncovering the "undiscovered country" of countless, ancient galaxies, Webb might never have been built. Now, Hubble and Webb often work together, complementing each other to study everything from exoplanets to the dynamics of galaxies — pushing the boundaries of what we know even further.
Conclusion:
As we celebrate 35 years of Hubble's legacy, we are reminded that the universe is vast, beautiful, and full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Hubble not only changed the way we see the cosmos — it changed the way we see ourselves. And its journey is far from over.