Fixing Tools in Space

In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space to take pictures of our solar system and distant galaxies. Once the telescope was in orbit, more than 300 miles above the Earth, scientists discovered a problem: Hubble was taking blurry photographs. To fix this problem, scientists created "eyeglasses" to correct the telescope's vision. Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle put the "eyeglasses" on Hubble to help it focus.

Mission: Learn how important it was for astronauts on board the Space Shuttle to fix the vision of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Experiment 1:

Step 1.
Look at the photograph. How clear is the photograph?

Step 2.
Now put on the corrective lenses. (If you wear glasses, put these corrective lenses on over your glasses.)

Step 3.
Look at the photograph again. How clear is the photograph now?

Hubble images of Neptune's clouds

Astronauts repairing the Hubble Space Telescope

Theorize:

A. Was the photograph clearer with or without the glasses?

B. Why is it important for astronauts to take part in space exploration?

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