The Hubble space telescope was launched on the 24th April 1990 and since then it has shown us many wonders of our Universe. Thanks to Hubble we have been able to give an exact age to our Universe (13.8 billion years), to study its accelerating expansion, to see and exploit the phenomenon known as "gravitational lensing" and much much more. The telescope is still operating and will probably operate for 5 years more. What it will be able to do now? Here we report its last unveiled image: the cluster Westerlund 2 containing about 3,000 stars located in the constellation Carina.
To celebrate the telescope and some of the amazing discoveries it’s accomplished investigating the light of the many celestial bodies in our Universe, The Open University is promoting some special free Astronomy contents and a specially commissioned animation made in conjunction with its other partners (RAS and SEPnet) in support of the International Year of Light.
This cartoon will explore a series of interesting and fascinating discoveries and inventions that related to the nature of light in Physics and Astronomy looking at the impact of these scientists: Ibn al-Haytham, Augustin-Jean Fresnel, James Clerk Maxwell, Albert Einstein, Arno Penzias & Robert Wilson and Charles Kao.Why do some galaxies appear to be misshaped? Who was the first scientist to learn that the vision happen when light enters the eye? Light and its influence have been integral to a significant number of scientific discoveries over the course of the last millennia but what where some of the most important? Discover them with us! And check this space for MORE to come…these scientists will soon need your voice!
Why not go on a 60 second adventure in Astronomy? Or several? You can download the entire podcast in iTunesU for FREE.
Thinking about studying physics or astronomy? Or just want to be blown away by what is out of this world? Why not go where many have gone before and venture into some of our FREE courses on the subject?:
Download a timeline of the history of the universe and make an impact with our Meteorite interactive game!
Have you ever used a telescope? Try our online experience, it will be like sitting at a telescope directly from your home!