Hubble Space Telescope Logs One Millionth Observation (Video)

Over 200 of the most spectacular Hubble images, set to ‘Pluto’ by the band One Ring Zero.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured its one-millionth science observation on July 4 while searching for water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet 1,000 light-years away from Earth.

“For 21 years Hubble has been the premier space science observatory, astounding us with deeply beautiful imagery and enabling ground-breaking science across a wide spectrum of astronomical disciplines,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who in 1990 piloted the Discovery mission to launch Hubble into orbit, in a press release.

“The fact that Hubble met this milestone while studying a faraway planet is a remarkable reminder of its strength and legacy.”

On its epic journey of exploration and discovery, Hubble logged its millionth exposure while analyzing the atmosphere of planet HAT-P-7b or Kepler 2b, a gas giant planet bigger than Jupiter which is orbiting a yellow white dwarf star that is hotter than the sun.

“We are looking for the spectral signature of water vapor,” said NASA scientist Drake Deming from the University of Maryland in the release. “This is an extremely precise observation and it will take months of analysis before we have an answer.”

“Hubble demonstrated it is ideally suited for characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets, and we are excited to see what this latest targeted world will reveal.”

The Earth-orbiting observatory was launched on April 24, 1990, and has revolutionized most areas of astronomy from planetary science to cosmology.

“The Hubble keeps amazing us with groundbreaking science,” said Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, the chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, in the release.

“I championed the mission to repair and renew Hubble not just to get one million science observations, but also to inspire millions of children across the planet to become our next generation of stargazers, scientists, astronauts and engineers.”