Hubblecast

Since its launch in 1990, Hubble has revolutionised our knowledge of astronomy. From imaging the most stunning phenomena in the cosmos, to the study of the invisible parts of the Universe, to observing the most distant objects ever seen. Hubble’s sharp eye has been at the forefront of astronomical exploration. This new Hubblecast is the first part of an exploration of some of Hubble’s most important discoveries in its almost 27-year history.

To many, Hubble is best known for its stunning images of celestial objects, but among astronomers it is admired for the valuable data it delivers. Hubble has helped revolutionise astronomy, including shedding light on dark matter and dark energy, lifting the veil on black holes, and peering into the dusty regions around stars to image exoplanets. This new Hubblecast is the second part of an exploration of some of Hubble’s most important discoveries throughout its history.

Throughout its 27-year history, Hubble has seen enough of the Universe to fill 100 episodes of the Hubblecast — 10 hours worth! These episodes have captured the science, culture, trials, and successes of Hubble, ranging from its spectacular images to its cutting-edge discoveries to its impact on society. This special 100th Hubblecast reflects on the past 99 episodes, and includes the smartest, funniest, weirdest and most creative moments.

In February 2017 the Hubble travelling exhibition Our Place in Space was launched in Venice, Italy. In the exhibition both astronomers and artists present their own interpretations of where we are, where we belong, what our past might have been and what our future might look like, by using Hubble images, artworks and installations. Combining the different perspectives by bringing together art and science gives a unique, and more complete, view of the Universe we live in and the research, both in science and the arts, being done to understand it. This episode of the Hubblecast takes the viewer on a journey through the exhibition and presents both the art and the stunning Hubble images within it, and combines them with written comments left by visitors to the exhibitions.

The atmosphere of an exoplanet can reveal a wealth of information, such as the planet’s temperature, its air pressure, and whether it is suitable for life. However, studying exoplanet atmospheres is one of the most challenging tasks in modern astronomy — and a challenge for Hubble too. This new episode of the Hubblecast describes how exoplanet atmospheres are analysed and what makes it such a challenge.

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed a visible counterpart to gravitational waves for the first time: a kilonova from merging neutron stars. For the first time, Hubble has observed the source of a gravitational wave: the merging of two neutron stars. This merger created a kilonova — an object first predicted by theory more than 30 ago. This event also provides the strongest evidence yet that short duration gamma-ray bursts are caused by mergers of neutron stars. These observations may help solve another long-standing question in astronomy: the origin of heavy chemical elements, like gold and platinum. In the merger of two neutron stars, the conditions appear just right for their production.

Hubble is best known for its stunning images and amazing discoveries. But sometimes the discoveries do not come hand-in-hand with a breathtaking view of the Universe. Raise the curtains for the artists creating impressions of the cosmos! In this Hubblecast we learn how artist’s impressions are made and how realistic they are.

This video provides a look back over the 10 best images Hubble released in 2017. In total ESA/Hubble released 181 images, graphs and illustrations, as well as 55 videos.