- #1
zuz
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- 32
Assume the Hubble Space Telescope was in orbit around Pluto. What would it see when pointed toward Earth? I know the scene would change due to rotation and seasonal changes, but would our planet be blue? White? Green?
In summary, if the Hubble Space Telescope were in orbit around Pluto and pointed towards Earth, it would see a similar color profile to other photos of Earth taken from space, with blues, greens, browns, and whites. However, due to the distance, the level of detail would be limited, with only about 9 pixels across and the potential to make out larger landmasses like Australia but not smaller ones like Tasmania. This is comparable to the famous "pale blue dot" photo of Earth taken by Voyager 1.
- #2
- 757
- 355
The color profile of the Earth would look like what it does from all the other photos we've taken of it from space, so, blues, greens, browns, and whites. The amount of detail you would be able to see is another issue altogether.
To get an idea of what the Earth would look like if the Hubble Telescope were out near Pluto, our resolution would be comparable to the Hubble photos we have of Pluto from Earth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pluto_hubble_photomap.jpg
The Earth has a diameter a little more than 5 times more than Pluto, so those lumps would be about 5x smaller. You might be able to make out Australia, but probably not Tasmania.
As another example, the View of Earth from a little further away than Pluto is the famous pale blue dot photo from Voyager 1:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot
On the topic of how much detail you could see of the surface of the Earth if the Hubble was aimed at it from where it currently is, you may find this what-if-xkcd interesting:
https://what-if.xkcd.com/32/
To get an idea of what the Earth would look like if the Hubble Telescope were out near Pluto, our resolution would be comparable to the Hubble photos we have of Pluto from Earth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pluto_hubble_photomap.jpg
The Earth has a diameter a little more than 5 times more than Pluto, so those lumps would be about 5x smaller. You might be able to make out Australia, but probably not Tasmania.
As another example, the View of Earth from a little further away than Pluto is the famous pale blue dot photo from Voyager 1:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_Blue_Dot
On the topic of how much detail you could see of the surface of the Earth if the Hubble was aimed at it from where it currently is, you may find this what-if-xkcd interesting:
https://what-if.xkcd.com/32/
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- #3
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1. What is the Hubble Space Telescope and how does it work?
The Hubble Space Telescope is a powerful instrument used by scientists to study the universe from space. It works by capturing light from distant objects and sending it back to Earth, allowing us to see images of the universe that are clearer and more detailed than what can be seen with telescopes on Earth.
2. What can we learn about Earth from images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope?
The Hubble Space Telescope can provide us with valuable information about Earth's atmosphere, weather patterns, and changes to the planet's surface over time. It can also help us study the effects of climate change and human activities on Earth.
3. How does the Hubble Space Telescope help us understand the origins of the universe?
By capturing images of distant galaxies and stars, the Hubble Space Telescope allows scientists to study the early stages of the universe and how it has evolved over billions of years. It has helped us discover new galaxies and understand the processes that shape our universe.
4. How does the Hubble Space Telescope contribute to our understanding of other planets in our solar system?
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of other planets in our solar system, providing us with valuable information about their atmospheres, weather patterns, and geological features. It has also helped us discover new moons and study the interactions between different celestial bodies.
5. How does the Hubble Space Telescope impact our daily lives?
The Hubble Space Telescope has contributed to numerous scientific discoveries and advancements, which have had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe and our place in it. It has also inspired generations of people to pursue careers in science and technology, and its images have captured the imagination of people all over the world.
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