Historically, humanity's understanding of the universe was limited.
Early 20th Century Belief:
The Milky Way was perceived as the entirety of the universe.
Termed as "Our Island Universe."
No concept of other galaxies existed.
Edwin Hubble's Breakthrough
Year: 1924
Astronomer: Edwin Hubble
Tools Used:
The 100-inch Hooker telescope on Mount Wilson (Near Los Angeles)
Observations Made:
Noticed fuzzy blobs of light in the night sky.
Determined these were not individual stars but entire galaxies.
Impact of Discovery:
Shifted perception from a universe with just the Milky Way to one with billions of galaxies.
Considered one of the greatest discoveries in astronomy.
Types of Galaxies Discovered
Whirlpool Galaxy:
Features: Two large spiral arms.
Contains approximately 160 million stars.
Galaxy M87:
Type: Giant elliptical galaxy.
Noted as one of the universe's oldest galaxies.
Stars in this galaxy glow gold.
Sombrero Galaxy:
Notable Features: Large glowing core surrounded by a ring of gas and dust.
Conclusion
Edwin Hubble's work expanded the understanding of the universe, revealing its vastness and the existence of countless galaxies beyond the Milky Way. This discovery redefined astronomical studies and our place in the universe.