**Remembering Edwin Hubble: The Visionary Who Revealed Other Galaxies Exist**
Edwin Hubble, whose groundbreaking work in the 1920s transformed our understanding of the cosmos, remains one of the most celebrated astronomers in history. Here’s a reflection on his monumental contributions and their lasting impact:
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### **Discovering Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way**
Before Hubble's time, the universe was thought to consist solely of the Milky Way. Using the 100-inch Hooker Telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory, Hubble observed **Cepheid variable stars** in the Andromeda "Nebula." By calculating their distance, he proved that Andromeda was not within the Milky Way but an entirely separate galaxy, later renamed the **Andromeda Galaxy**.
This discovery expanded the known universe from a single galaxy to billions, fundamentally altering humanity’s place in the cosmos.
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### **The Expanding Universe**
Hubble further revealed that the universe is not static but expanding. His observations of galaxies' **redshifts** demonstrated that galaxies are moving away from one another, with their velocity proportional to their distance—a relationship now formalized as the **Hubble-Lemaître Law**.
This finding laid the foundation for the **Big Bang theory** and reshaped cosmology, helping to explain the dynamic evolution of the universe.
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### **Hubble’s Legacy**
- **The Hubble Space Telescope (HST)**: Named in his honor, the HST has allowed astronomers to extend Hubble's vision, capturing breathtaking images of distant galaxies and providing insights into dark matter, black holes, and the early universe.
- **Influence on Cosmology**: Hubble’s methods for measuring distances and his pioneering work on galaxy classification continue to guide modern astronomy.
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### **Celebrating Hubble Today**
Astronomical organizations regularly commemorate his work through educational initiatives, public lectures, and resources highlighting his discoveries. Hubble's revelations remain an enduring inspiration, emphasizing humanity's quest to understand the universe.
If you'd like to explore further about Edwin Hubble’s methods, the Hubble Telescope’s modern findings, or how his work reshaped science, let me know!
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