Is Hubble still taking pictures?

Is Hubble Still Snapping Pictures? The Old Telescope’s Got Game!

Okay, so Hubble. You know, that telescope that’s been floating around up there since before some of us were even born? It’s still kicking! As of today, July 30, 2025, the big question is: is it still taking pictures? And the answer is a definite YES. Sure, it’s getting on in years, and we’ve got shiny new toys like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), but Hubble’s still out there doing its thing, adding to our cosmic knowledge.

Launched way back in April 1990 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, Hubble was supposed to hang in there for, like, 15 years. But, wow, has it blown past that! Named after the legendary Edwin Hubble, this telescope has totally changed how we see the universe. And get this: astronauts actually went up there multiple times between 1993 and 2009 to fix it up, give it upgrades, and basically keep it running. Talk about dedication!

Current Status: A Few Bumps in the Road

Now, it’s not all smooth sailing. Hubble’s getting a little creaky, if you know what I mean. One of the biggest issues is its gyroscopes. These are super important because they help Hubble point in the right direction. It’s like trying to take a picture with your phone while someone’s shaking you – not easy! Back in 2009, they swapped out all six gyros, but now only three are still working. In May 2024, one of them started acting up, so the mission folks had to switch to a backup mode. This means Hubble can’t always look wherever we want it to, which is a bit of a bummer. Currently, Hubble is operating on a single gyroscope to extend its life, with another held in reserve. This single-gyroscope mode does have some limitations, such as reduced flexibility in observing targets at certain positions in the sky and an inability to track objects closer than Mars. However, the full sky remains accessible over the course of a year.

And here’s another thing: Hubble’s slowly falling. Okay, not falling falling, but it’s losing altitude because of the atmosphere. It’s orbiting about 326 miles (525 km) up, but the air up there, even though it’s super thin, is slowing it down. They’re saying it’ll probably stay up there until at least 2035. There was even talk about sending a SpaceX mission to give it a boost, but NASA decided against it for now. Too risky, apparently.

Still Got It: Hubble’s Enduring Value

But don’t count Hubble out just yet! It’s still doing some amazing science. It’s especially good at seeing ultraviolet light, which is something JWST can’t do as well. For example, Hubble is working on this project called ULLYSES, which is all about studying how stars are born using its ultraviolet skills.

And the pictures! Oh man, the pictures. Just recently, in July 2025, Hubble snapped some incredible shots of the spiral galaxy NGC 1309, which is like, 100 million light-years away. I mean, come on! Also in July 2025, the telescope has captured breathtaking new images of the Milky Way, showcasing glowing stars, swirling nebulae, colorful gas clouds, and distant galaxies. It’s still got that magic touch, showing us the universe in ways we’ve never seen before.

Hubble and JWST: A Dynamic Duo

Now, with the James Webb Space Telescope in the picture since December 2021, you might think Hubble’s ready for retirement. But these two are actually a great team! JWST sees in infrared, while Hubble’s got the ultraviolet and visible light covered. So, they work together, each filling in the gaps and giving us a more complete picture of what’s out there.

So, What’s Next for Hubble?

NASA thinks Hubble can keep going strong, doing awesome science well into the 2030s. Of course, nobody knows exactly when it’ll finally call it quits – probably when those gyroscopes give out for good.

Even when that day comes, Hubble’s already cemented its place in history. It’s changed astronomy forever, and its images have inspired people all over the world. And as long as it’s still up there, Hubble will keep sending us amazing data and mind-blowing pictures, helping us explore the universe one snapshot at a time. It’s not just a telescope; it’s a legend!