Experiencing Hubble: Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe Season 1 Episode 1 The Rationale for a Space Telescope

Experiencing Hubble: Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe is a documentary series that delves into the science and technology behind the Hubble Space Telescope and the stunning images it has captured. In season 1 episode 1, entitled "The Rationale for a Space Telescope," viewers are taken back in time to the early days of astronomy, when scientists were limited to studying the universe from the Earth's surface.

The episode begins with a brief history of astronomy, highlighting the work of notable figures such as Galileo and Isaac Newton. It then moves on to the limitations of ground-based telescopes, which are hindered by atmospheric interference and light pollution. We learn about the concept of "seeing," which refers to the blurring of objects in the night sky due to the Earth's atmosphere.

Despite these limitations, astronomers were able to make groundbreaking discoveries about the universe, from identifying the phases of Venus to discovering the rings of Saturn. But as technology advanced, so did astronomers' ambitions. It became clear that in order to truly understand the universe, scientists would need to observe it from outside the Earth's atmosphere.

This is where the idea for a space telescope originated. We learn about the efforts of scientists and engineers in the 1960s and 70s to make a space telescope a reality, from designing the instruments to figuring out how to launch and maintain it in space. We also learn about the political and financial challenges involved in the project, including debates about whether a space telescope was necessary and how it should be funded.

Despite these obstacles, the Hubble Space Telescope was eventually launched into space in 1990. The episode concludes with a discussion of the unique advantages of a space telescope, including the ability to observe in multiple wavelengths of light and the ability to observe continuously without the interference of day and night cycles. We also learn about some of the groundbreaking discoveries that the Hubble telescope has helped make possible, from studying the formation of galaxies to measuring the expansion of the universe.

Overall, "The Rationale for a Space Telescope" is a fascinating and informative introduction to the Hubble Space Telescope and the ways in which it has transformed our understanding of the universe. Through interviews with astronomers and engineers involved in the project, as well as stunning footage of the telescope in action, viewers are given a glimpse into the exciting world of space exploration and the cutting-edge technology that makes it possible.