After facing weeks of downtime due to a gyro malfunction, the Hubble Space Telescope is once again operational, bringing relief to astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. The incident occurred on November 19 when one of the telescope’s gyros, crucial for its precise pointing, encountered issues. The telescope had been in and out of safe mode since then but finally came back online on Friday, December 8.
The malfunctioning gyro presented a challenge, as operating the telescope with just one gyro would have meant a significant loss of observing time. With all three gyros now functioning properly, the Hubble Space Telescope has returned to full science operations.
Two of the telescope’s instruments, the Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys, have already resumed their scientific observations. The team at NASA plans to bring the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph back online later this month.
Despite the emergence of the newer James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble remains a crucial asset for astronomers. The two telescopes operate in different wavelengths, with Hubble focusing primarily on visible light, along with sensitivity to ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths. This capability allows Hubble to capture breathtaking images of celestial objects such as nebulae and nearby galaxies.
In contrast, the James Webb Space Telescope specializes in the infrared portion of the spectrum, making it capable of observing extremely distant galaxies. These galaxies, moving away from us, emit light shifted into the infrared range, beyond the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope.
While the James Webb Space Telescope has garnered attention for its advanced capabilities, both telescopes complement each other, working together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the universe. Their collaboration enables astronomers to capture detailed images and study cosmic phenomena across various wavelengths.
