What is the Hubble Space Telescope and what discoveries has it made?

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a powerful, orbiting astronomical observatory launched by NASA in 1990. It is named after the American astronomer Edwin Hubble and allows scientists to observe the universe in unprecedented detail. HST has made numerous groundbreaking discoveries, revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos. It played a pivotal role in determining the age of the universe, finding evidence of dark matter, and studying the formation and evolution of galaxies. Additionally, Hubble has captured breathtaking images of distant celestial objects, such as nebulae, galaxies, and exoplanets. It has helped identify and measure the expansion rate of the universe and contributed to studies on black holes, star formation, and the composition of exoplanet atmospheres. The Hubble Space Telescope remains an essential tool for astronomers and continues to unravel the mysteries of our universe.