Preparing for the Coyote 7 Mission to Mars: A Review of Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes

Greetings, fellow explorers! I’m Dr. Elizabeth Stratton, commander of the Coyote 7 Mission to Mars, and I’m excited to share this latest installment of my blog. Lately, I’ve been immersed in a treasure trove of cosmic images—poring over detailed shots of Mars from various orbiters, tracing its rugged craters and rusty expanses to prep for our journey. But I’ve also been captivated by the breathtaking views from Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope (which, fun fact, don’t typically snap pics of Mars!). These telescopes offer stunning glimpses of distant galaxies, nebulae, and stars, fueling my wonder and reminding me why I love this field. The beauty of it all—the Red Planet’s stark charm and the universe’s vast splendor—is just irresistible. It got me thinking about a question I hear a lot: What’s the difference between Hubble and Webb? Hubble’s visible and ultraviolet light images are iconic, while Webb’s infrared vision peers deeper into space and time. Want to learn more? Check out NASA’s sites—hubblesite.org and webb.nasa.gov—for the full scoop. I’m thrilled to share this journey with you as we gear up for Mars and beyond!

The Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are both remarkable instruments, but they differ in several key ways, from their design and location to their scientific goals and observational capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences:

1. Wavelength Range

• Hubble: Primarily observes in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared wavelengths (about 0.1 to 2.5 micrometers). This makes it excellent for capturing detailed images of galaxies, stars, and nebulae in light we can see or just beyond it.

• Webb: Focuses on the infrared spectrum, particularly mid- to far-infrared (0.6 to 28 micrometers). This allows it to peer through dust clouds, observe distant galaxies from the early universe, and study cooler objects like exoplanets and star-forming regions that emit infrared light.

2. Location in Space

• Hubble: Orbits Earth at an altitude of about 540 kilometers (335 miles) in low Earth orbit (LEO). This proximity made it accessible for servicing missions by astronauts but exposes it to Earth’s reflected light and heat.

• Webb: Positioned at the second Lagrange point (L2), about 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) from Earth. This distant location keeps it stable, cold, and shielded from Earth’s interference, ideal for infrared observations.

3. Mirror Size

• Hubble: Has a 2.4-meter (7.9-foot) primary mirror. While impressive for its time, it’s relatively small compared to modern telescopes.

• Webb: Features a 6.5-meter (21.3-foot) primary mirror made of 18 hexagonal segments. The larger mirror collects more light, enabling it to see fainter and more distant objects with greater detail.

4. Temperature and Design

• Hubble: Operates at a temperature close to Earth’s ambient conditions (around 20°C or 68°F) and doesn’t require extreme cooling for its instruments.

• Webb: Must stay extremely cold (below -223°C or -370°F) to detect faint infrared signals without interference from its own heat. It uses a massive sunshield the size of a tennis court to block sunlight and maintain this frigid temperature.

5. Launch and Operational Timeline

• Hubble: Launched in 1990, it’s been operational for over three decades, with multiple servicing missions extending its life. As of March 23, 2025, it’s still functioning, though aging.

• Webb: Launched on December 25, 2021, and began science operations in mid-2022. It’s a newer telescope designed to operate for at least 10 years, with fuel potentially lasting longer.

6. Scientific Purpose

• Hubble: A general-purpose observatory, it’s captured iconic images of the cosmos and contributed to discoveries like the accelerating expansion of the universe (via supernovae observations). It excels at studying nearby galaxies, stars, and planets.

• Webb: Built to answer specific questions about the early universe, galaxy formation, star and planet formation, and exoplanet atmospheres. Its infrared focus lets it look back in time to the first galaxies and stars, formed billions of years ago.

7. Image Style

• Hubble: Known for its stunning, colorful images in visible light—think of the Pillars of Creation or the Hubble Deep Field.

• Webb: Produces images that often look different due to its infrared focus, revealing hidden details like dust-obscured regions or redshifted light from distant objects. Its images are often processed into visible colors for public viewing.

In short, Hubble is like a versatile photographer capturing the universe in visible light from Earth’s backyard, while Webb is a specialized infrared detective stationed far away, peering deeper into space and time. They complement each other, with Hubble’s legacy paving the way for Webb’s next-level exploration.