Biography of Famous Scientist Edwin Hubble
Edwin Powell Hubble, an iconic American astronomer, was born on November 20, 1889, in Marshfield, Missouri, USA. His groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the field of astronomy fundamentally transformed our understanding of the universe.
Childhood and Early Education:
Edwin Hubble displayed an early interest in science, particularly astronomy. Raised in a family that encouraged intellectual pursuits, he excelled in academics. Hubble attended the University of Chicago, where he initially studied law. However, his passion for astronomy led him to switch his focus, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in science in 1910.
Education at Oxford and World War I:
Hubble received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. While there, he continued his studies in astronomy and earned a law degree. When World War I erupted, Hubble interrupted his academic pursuits to serve as a captain in the United States Army. His military service included work on anti-aircraft gunnery.
Return to Astronomy:
After the war, Hubble returned to the United States and briefly practiced law in Kentucky. However, his love for astronomy eventually led him back to academia. He enrolled at the Yerkes Observatory at the University of Chicago, earning his Ph.D. in astronomy in 1917 under the guidance of renowned astronomer George Ellery Hale.
Observational Work at Mount Wilson Observatory:
In 1919, Hubble joined the staff of the Mount Wilson Observatory near Pasadena, California. He initially worked as a staff astronomer and, over time, gained access to the observatory’s powerful telescope. Using the Hooker Telescope, the most advanced of its time, Hubble embarked on a series of observations that would revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
Discovery of Extragalactic Nebulae and Galaxies:
One of Hubble’s most significant contributions came in the 1920s when he observed and classified numerous spiral nebulae. He determined that these nebulae were not part of our Milky Way galaxy but were, in fact, separate galaxies located at immense distances from Earth. This groundbreaking realization expanded the known size of the universe and laid the foundation for the concept of galaxies as independent cosmic entities.
Hubble’s Law and the Expanding Universe:
Hubble’s most famous discovery was the relationship between the distance of galaxies and their recessional velocities. In 1929, he published his groundbreaking paper introducing what would later be known as Hubble’s Law. This law demonstrated that galaxies are moving away from each other, providing crucial evidence for the expanding nature of the universe. The Hubble Constant, a measure of the rate of expansion, was named in his honor.
Recognition and Honors:
Edwin Hubble’s groundbreaking contributions earned him widespread recognition. He received the Bruce Medal in 1938, the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1940, and the Medal of Merit, the highest civilian award during World War II, for his work on ballistics research. He was also elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
Later Career and Legacy:
Hubble continued his influential work at Mount Wilson Observatory, which later became part of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. He played a key role in establishing the Palomar Observatory, home to the Hale Telescope, one of the largest optical telescopes in the world.
Edwin Hubble passed away on September 28, 1953, in San Marino, California. His legacy extends far beyond his lifetime, as the Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, was named in his honor. The telescope has provided stunning images and valuable data, contributing to ongoing research in astronomy and cosmology. Edwin Hubble’s pioneering observations and discoveries fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the vast and dynamic universe we inhabit.