Part 9/15:
Advancements in optics and detectors in the 20th century led to continuous growth in telescope size and capabilities. Engineers developed instruments sensitive to ultraviolet, infrared, radio, and microwave waves, broadening our observational window far beyond visible light.
Despite these innovations, Earth-based telescopes face inherent limitations due to atmospheric interference and light pollution. To overcome this, NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990, putting a powerful observatory into orbit. Positioned above Earth's atmosphere, Hubble could capture clearer images across visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared wavelengths, unlocking secrets of the distant universe with stunning detail.