Hubble Space Telescope Launched
NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope, which would deliver the deepest and most detailed images of the universe ever captured.
On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery into low Earth orbit. After an initial optics flaw was corrected by a 1993 servicing mission, Hubble became one of the most important scientific instruments in history. Orbiting above the atmosphere's distortion, it captured images of unprecedented clarity — revealing the age of the universe (13.8 billion years), providing evidence for dark energy, observing the formation of galaxies, and producing the iconic "Pillars of Creation" image. Hubble transformed public understanding of the cosmos and remains operational after more than three decades.
More in Science & Technology
Cambrian Period
The Cambrian explosion saw the rapid diversification of most major animal phyla, fundamentally transforming life on Earth.
~570 BCEBirth of Pythagoras
Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician and philosopher, was born on the island of Samos.
~340 BCEAristotle's Contributions to Science and Philosophy
Aristotle made groundbreaking arguments for a spherical Earth and laid the foundations of logic, science, and Western philosophy.
c. 300 BCELibrary of Alexandria Founded
The most famous library of the ancient world was established in Egypt.