how far can hubble see
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a powerful space-based observatory that has been in operation since 1990. Its ability to see distant objects is limited by the technology used to build it and the physical laws of the universe.
Hubble’s maximum distance is estimated to be around 13.4 billion light-years, which is roughly the distance to the edge of the observable universe. However, the farthest objects that Hubble can see are galaxies and stars that existed about 13.2 billion years ago, during the early universe.
To put this in perspective, consider that the universe is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old. This means that Hubble can see objects that existed just 600 million years after the Big Bang.
Hubble’s ability to see distant objects is made possible by its advanced optics and instrumentation. Its primary mirror is 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in diameter, which allows it to collect and focus light from distant objects. The telescope also has a range of instruments, including cameras and spectrographs, that enable scientists to study the light from these objects in detail.
Some of the most distant objects that Hubble has observed include:
* GN-z11: a galaxy that existed 13.2 billion years ago, just 400 million years after the Big Bang.
* UDFy-38135539: a galaxy that existed 13.1 billion years ago, just 500 million years after the Big Bang.
* EGS-zs8-1: a galaxy that existed 13.1 billion years ago, just 650 million years after the Big Bang.
These observations have provided scientists with valuable insights into the early universe, including the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the evolution of the universe over billions of years.
It’s worth noting that while Hubble is an incredibly powerful telescope, it is not the only one capable of observing distant objects. Other telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), are also designed to study the distant universe and have made significant discoveries in recent years.
