Edwin Powell Hubble was born on November 20, 1889, in Marshfield, Missouri. His observations in the 1920s showed that galaxies such as Andromeda lie beyond the Milky Way, transforming the known scale of the universe. The Hubble Space Telescope, launched decades after his death, was named in his honor—not because he built it or directed its discoveries.
Who was Edwin P. Hubble?
Hubble grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, where he was known as an accomplished athlete and developed an early interest in science fiction. He studied mathematics and astronomy at the University of Chicago, then went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and studied law. He returned to Chicago for doctoral work before beginning his professional astronomy career at Mount Wilson Observatory in 1919. NASA’s biographical account and its Hubble materials recount this path.
How did Hubble change our picture of the universe?
In the 1920s, Hubble studied variable stars in nebulae, including Andromeda. His observations established that such objects were galaxies beyond the Milky Way. That finding radically enlarged the known universe: what had appeared to be structures within our own galaxy were, in fact, distant galaxies in their own right.
Hubble’s contribution was pivotal, but it is misleading to say he alone conceived or discovered every part of modern cosmology. The history of ideas about the universe’s expansion includes other researchers, and the sources cited here do not settle the full question of credit. NASA’s overview of Hubble’s work and its historical account describe the significance of his observations without making him the sole author of modern cosmology.
#1 Best Overall
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- HUBBLE TELESCOPE – 1 Sheet Model with a moderate difficulty level. Assembled Size: 3.00 x 2.00 x 2.50 inches.
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
Why is the space telescope named after him?
The Hubble Space Telescope honors the astronomer’s legacy. NASA says the observatory launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990. The telescope is a later mission, created and operated by generations of scientists and engineers; its discoveries are not Edwin Hubble’s personal work. NASA’s Hubble mission page describes the observatory and its research.
NASA’s Hubble overview reports that research on the telescope’s discoveries has appeared in more than 23,000 peer-reviewed science papers. That cumulative, changing figure measures the observatory’s influence, not Hubble’s own publication record. The same overview attributes to astronaut and astronomer John Grunsfeld the observation, “Hubble is not just a satellite. It’s a symbol of humanity’s quest for knowledge.”
Rank #2
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE - 2.75 Sheet Model with a moderate difficulty level. Assembled Size: 4.13 L x 2.75 W x 2.75 H inches. 1:221 Scale. 62 Pieces
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
Edwin Hubble’s life and the telescope’s timeline
- November 20, 1889: Hubble was born in Marshfield, Missouri.
- 1906 onward: He attended the University of Chicago, studying mathematics and astronomy.
- 1910: He earned a bachelor’s degree at Chicago and went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar to study law.
- 1917: He returned to the University of Chicago and earned a doctorate.
- 1919: He joined Mount Wilson Observatory’s staff.
- 1920s: His observations established that galaxies existed beyond the Milky Way.
- 1953: Hubble died on September 28 in San Marino, California.
- 1983: NASA’s history records that the Large Space Telescope was renamed after Hubble.
- 1990: The Hubble Space Telescope launched aboard Discovery.
What Hubble’s legacy means
Hubble’s name links a pioneering astronomer with a space observatory that continues to expand public understanding of the cosmos. The connection is one of inspiration and honor: his observations helped change how people understood the universe, while the telescope’s achievements belong to the much later mission and the teams behind it.
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Best Value
Rank #4
- Set Includes 4 Kits: Hubble Telescope - Apollo Lunar Rover
- Assembly required - Simply pop out the pieces and connect tabs and holes
- Ages 14+ - Moderate
- Hubble Telescope = 3" x 2" x 2.5" when assembled - Easy Difficulty Level
- Apollo Lunar Rover = 3.55" x 1.77" x 2.28" when assembled - Moderate Difficulty Level
Rank #3
- Sprue Brothers Hasegawa 1:200 Hubble Space Telescope 'The Repair 20th Anniversary', HAS52326
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