The document discusses the Hubble Space Telescope, including its key components and systems, how it operates, and its scientific applications and limitations. Specifically, it describes Hubble's modular design, pointing control system that uses gyroscopes and reaction wheels to keep it focused, its primary and secondary mirrors and scientific instruments like cameras and spectrographs, how it collects over 10 billion bits of data per week, and its role in furthering our understanding of objects like black holes, galaxies, and the expanding universe. However, it has limitations like being unable to observe the Sun or objects blocked by the Earth.
1. A SEMINAR ON
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
PRESENTED BY:
HARI OM
ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION
REG NO-030907133
SECTION-C
ROLL NO.– 123
2. CONTENTS
• Overview
• Spacecraft System
• Operation
• Parts
• Outer structure
• Pointing control system
• Optical assembly
• Scientific instruments
• Colours & filters
• Application fields
• Features
• Limitations
• Conclusion
• References
3. OVERVIEW
• Hubble—a space telescope
• 600km above earth
• Excellent pointing precision,powerful
optics,state of the art instruments
• Designed -1970s & launched-1990
• Moduler design
• Goal—knowledge of our cosmic roots
4. SPACECRAFT SYSTEM
• POWER
• COMMUNICATIONS
• STEERING-To remain fixed on an object HST has three
onboard systems:
• Gyroscopes-Sense small to large motions
• Reaction Wheels-Move the telescope
• FGS-Sense fine motion
• COMPUTING
• STRUCTURE
8. OUTER STRUCTURE
• Solar arrays(2)—12m in length,2400 watts
• Communication antennae(2)—transmit
information to TDRSS
• Computer support systems module—for
communications,navigation,power
management,etc.
• Electronic boxes—houses much of the
electronics
• Aperture door—just like camera’s lens
• Light shield—shaft for blocking surrounding light
• Pcs—for pointing towards the target
12. SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
• AXIAL BAYS(4)-Four instruments aligned with the main
opticalaxis & are mounted just behind the primary mirror.
• 1>ACS--wide field of view,better light sensitivity
• 2>NICMOS—infrared instrument
• 3>STIS—separates light into component wavelengths
• 4>COSTER—for correction of spherical aberration
• WFPC2(Wide Field/Planetary Camera 2)-It is
responsible for taking nearly all of HUBBLE’s famous pictures
• FINE GUIDANCE SENSORS(3)-It measures relative
positions,providing data to the spacecraft’s targeting system
15. FEATURES
• 3 observations/hour
• Each observation requires 100 computer
functions
• 2 observations at a time
• 100,000 instructions/week
• Generates 10 billion bits of scientific data/week
• Can move 90 degrees/15 minutes
• 17,000mph around the earth
16. APPLICATION FIELDS
• Best view of mars
• Proof of black holes
• Quasars—active galactic
nuclei in distant galaxies
• Gamma rays origins
• The expanding universe
• The birth of stars
• The death of stars
• Comet collision
• Auroras & electricity
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20.
21.
22. LIMITATION
• Can’t observe the sun—intense light &
heat
• Can’t observe mercury or venus
• Can’t observe some stars—too bright
• Orbit of HST—target obstructed by earth
• Van allen radiation belt—charged particles
from solar winds trapped by earth’s
magnetic field
23. CONCLUSION
Despite its flawed early history, the HST has performed
well, yielding much scientific data and beautiful images.
However, the HST will not last forever. Plans are
underway for a new space telescope, called the Next
Generation Space Telescope (NGST). NGST will be
even more sensitive than HST and provide better images
of even more distant objects.The age of optical space
telescopes started by HST promises to revolutionize
astronomy as much or more than Galileo's first use of the
telescope did long ago.
