Since its launch on 24 April 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has taken over a million observations. To celebrate its 25th anniversary we give a run down of our 25 favourite Hubble images.
The first few years of the telescope were extremely troubled.
After of years of delays following the Challenger disaster, Hubble eventually made it to orbit only to discovered that there was an error in the mirror, blurring all its images.
Luckily the telescope was always designed to be upgradable.
The first servicing mission in 1993 fixed the misshapen mirror and the telescope was upgraded a further four times.
The final mission to the telescope in 2009 fitted the telescope with new batteries and equipment that should keep the telescope running until 2020.
The Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula is one of Hubble's most iconic images. To celebrate the telescope's 25th year, NASA retook the image using Wide Field Camera 3, which was installed in 2009. Credit: NASA/ESA/The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA)
Hubble isn't just used to create beautiful images though. In this image it is used to show where dark matter (blue) and hot gas (red) lie in the Universe. Credit: NASA/ESA/J. Merten (Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, Heidelberg/Astronomical Observatory of Bologna)/ D. Coe (STScI)
The galaxy-studded vista of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. Credit: NASA, ESA, H. Teplitz, M. Rafelski (IPAC/Caltech), A. Koekemoer (STScI), R. Windhorst (Arizona State University), and Z. Levay (STScI)
Though most commonly known for its stunning visible light images, Hubble can take images in many different wavelengths such as this infrared image of the Horsehead Nebula. Credit: NASA/ESA/and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
By taking images in different wavelengths, Hubble has given researchers a new perspective of familiar sights such as this picture of Saturn taken in the ultraviolet. Credit: NASA/ESA
Hubble is often used alongside other telescopes to create the best images. Here the Spitzer Space Telescope provides the colour information, while Hubble picks out the fine detail Credit:NASA/ESA
Enjoying the images? Our special edition '25 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope' has 116 pages of the most spectacular images. Look at below to find out how to pick up your copy now.
An image of a 'light echo's around the star V838 Monocerotis which emitted a pulse of light in 2002, illuminating the dust around it. Hubble kept an eye on the nebula for four years as the light moved outwards, taking this image two years after the first pulse. Credit: NASA/The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI)
Zeroing in on the Orion Nebula, this image contains over 3000 stars. Credit: NASA/ESA
This image of the Tycho crater was taken in preparation of observing the Venus transit in 2012. Hubble cannot be pointed directly at the Sun, and so instead the telescope observed the change in light reflected off the Moon. Credit: NASA/ESA
This image of star cluster NGC 2074 was taken during its 100,000th orbit. The image shows the distinctive shape of Wide Field Camera 2. Credit: NASA/ESA/M. Livio (STScI)
Here Hubble captures a jet of electrons being thrown from their galaxy by its central black hole. Credit: NASA/The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
This smiling face is created by a group of galaxies being lensed by a massive galaxy. Credit: NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech
These two galaxies are passing close to each other, resulting in their twisted shape resembling a rose. Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
This cluster of stars (NGC 3603) is surrounded by clouds of interstellar gas and dust, the raw materials for new star formation. Credit: NASA/ESA
The Small Magellanic Cloud is one of the Milky Way's closest neighbours. While its visible to the naked eye, Hubble is able to show its beauty fully. Credit: NASA, ESA, CXC and the University of Potsdam, JPL-Caltech, and STScI
Mars, as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. Acknowledgements: J. Bell (Cornell U.), P. James (U. Toledo), M. Wolff (Space Science Institute), A. Lubenow (STScI), J. Neubert (MIT/Cornell) Credit:
NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team STScI/AURA
Taken for the telescopes 20th Anniversary, this image shows gas and dust rising to the top of a three lightyear tall pillar of cool hydrogen. Credit: NASA/ESA/M. Livio/Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)
The Antennae Galaxies. These two galaxies started to interact millions of years ago and will eventually merge together into one. Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration
The galaxy M101 contains around 100 billion stars. Credit: NASA/ESA
The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is a large planetary nebula, created by an expanding shell of gas given off by the central star. Credit: NASA/NOAO/ESA
Jupiter's moon Ganymede can just be seen poking out from behind the giant planet. Credit: NASA/ESA/E. Karkoschka (University of Arizona)
Our view of the Sombereo Galaxy (M104) is almost completely edge on. Credit: NASA/ESA
Credit: NASA/ESA
The. Butterfly Nebula. Credit: NASA/ESA
Dust lanes block out the starlight coming from behind them, leaving behind only patches of darkness in the sky. Credit: NASA/ESA
The Hubble Space Telescope has been flying 540km above our heads for 25 years, sending back amazing images of the Universe around us and has become part of our collective culture. The final service mission to the telescope ensured it could function through to 2020, so there are still many more great images yet to come. Credit: NASA
Ezzy Pearson is the Features Editor of BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Her first book about the history of robotic planetary landers is out now from The History Press.
Taken for the telescopes 20th Anniversary, this image shows gas and dust rising to the top of a three lightyear tall pillar of cool hydrogen. Credit: NASA/ESA/M. Livio/Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)
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