The Hubble Space Telescope orbits the Earth at an altitude of 612 km which would work out to about 380 statute miles. It moves at 28,000 kph around the Earth, which would be about 17,500 mph. To complete one orbit at that high speed and altitude the Hubble Space Telescope takes just 97 minutes.

Of the many beautiful photographs that the Hubble telescope has sent some have become pivotal  to understanding the world out in space. Some science experiments have born out the amazing details of galaxies and far away stars which were only guessed about before.

One of the reasons why the telescope is so much more effective is because it does not have to peep through the whole spectrum of Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere tends to distort our view of the stars and heavenly bodies. Preventing us from seeing the true picture so to say.

With the telescope being place out in space the view is much clearer. Plus the records come from all directions around the Earth. There are a number of interesting science projects that you can base on pictures of outer space. Even if you have your own little telescope you can make a map of the night sky from your back yard. That will make an interesting way to record the objects in the sky.