how far can the 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 several factors, including the size of its primary mirror, the sensitivity of its instruments, and the amount of light that can be collected from distant sources.

In terms of distance, the Hubble Space Telescope can see objects that are incredibly far away. Here are some examples:

1. Most distant galaxy: The Hubble Space Telescope has observed galaxies that are about 13.4 billion light-years away, which is just 400 million years after the Big Bang. This is the most distant galaxy observed to date, and it’s seen as it was in the early universe.
2. Cosmic horizon: The cosmic horizon is the distance light could have traveled since the Big Bang. The Hubble Space Telescope can see objects that are about 14 billion light-years away, which is close to the cosmic horizon.
3. Deep field observations: The Hubble Space Telescope has made several deep field observations, which involve staring at a small region of the sky for a long time to collect light from distant objects. These observations have revealed galaxies and stars that are about 12-13 billion light-years away.

To put these distances into perspective, consider that the nearest star to the Sun, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.24 light-years away. The Andromeda Galaxy, which is the closest major galaxy to our own Milky Way, is about 2.5 million light-years away.

The Hubble Space Telescope’s ability to see distant objects is due to its:

1. Large primary mirror: The Hubble Space Telescope has a 2.4-meter (7.9-foot) primary mirror, which allows it to collect a significant amount of light from distant sources.
2. Sensitive instruments: The Hubble Space Telescope is equipped with a range of sensitive instruments, including cameras and spectrographs, which can detect faint light from distant objects.
3. Orbit above the atmosphere: The Hubble Space Telescope orbits above the Earth’s atmosphere, which allows it to avoid the distortion and absorption of light that occurs when it passes through the atmosphere.

Overall, the Hubble Space Telescope is an incredibly powerful tool for studying the universe, and its ability to see distant objects has greatly expanded our understanding of the cosmos.