How deep can Hubble Telescope see?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the observational capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, particularly regarding its ability to see distant galaxies and the implications for future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope. Participants explore the limits of Hubble's observations, the nature of redshift, and the potential for discovering older galaxies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether Hubble's limitations in observing galaxies are due to its power, the absence of older galaxies, or the effects of redshift.
  • One participant mentions a recently discovered galaxy that is 30 billion light years away, suggesting that Hubble has observed galaxies from a time shortly after the Big Bang.
  • Another participant inquires if Hubble could resolve older galaxies if the universe were older, indicating a curiosity about Hubble's observational limits.
  • It is noted that the first galaxies likely formed around 500 million years after the Big Bang, with Hubble observing a proto-galaxy from 700 million years post-Big Bang, which is undergoing starburst activity.
  • Participants discuss Hubble's limitations in the far red spectrum and how the James Webb telescope is designed to observe in that range, potentially allowing it to see objects at higher redshifts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the reasons behind Hubble's observational limits, with no consensus reached on whether these limits are due to the telescope's capabilities, the nature of the universe, or the effects of redshift.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the exact limits of redshift and the implications for observing ancient galaxies, as well as the dependence on the age of the universe and the capabilities of different telescopes.

Herbascious J
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How deep can Hubble Telescope see??

-I understand that the Hubble telescope can only resolve galaxies at about 13 billion years old, using gravitational lensing. I am curious, is this because the telescope does not have the power to see farther? Or is this because there are no farther galaxies to see because this is too close to the Big Bang? Or, is it perhaps because the redishifts become so great that galaxies disapear at this point? I ask because I am curious to know if the James Webb telescope will actually provide new insight and perhaps even observations of older galaxies. Thanks!

P.S. - About my last point. At what age does the redshift become so shifted that galaxies no longer are observable (even if this boundary is older than the universe in theory, I am curious to know what it would be)
 
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I'll have to go look for the piece, but recently I read was that the oldest galaxy we have seen is 30 billion light years away. It is 13.1 billion years old, about 700 million years after the creation of the universe. It was seen by Hubble.

Link http://www.kbtx.com/home/editorspick/Texas-AM-Researchers-Discover-New-Galaxy-30-Billion-Light-Years-Away-229007511.html
 
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Hi, and thanks for the quick reply and link...! Do you know if the Hubble ST could resolve older galaxies IF the universe were old enough to support them? If the Universe was 16 billion years old, could Hubble resolve 15 billion year old galaxies? I guess I'm trying to asses how powerful HST really is. Thanks!
 
It is generally believed it took about 500 million years for the first galaxies to form. As noted, we have observed a galaxy that formed when the universe was only 700 million years old. In fact, it is not yet even a full fledged galaxy, but, a proto galaxy. It is visible because it is undergoing a period of star burst activity. The trouble with Hubble is it does not see so well in the far end of the red spectrum and all of these ancient galaxies at the perimeter of the observable universe are heavily redshifted. The James Webb telescope is specially designed for viewing in the red end of the spectrum, and is larger than the Hubble. It is theoretically capable of seeing objects out to about z=16.
 
Ah, I see. Thanks for the great explanation... This is very exciting, it seems the Webb telescope should render some really amazing stuff! Thanks again.
-J
 

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