TED Talks Daily Our longing for cosmic truth and poetic beauty | Maria Popova
May 28, 2022
Explore the fascinating interplay between science and poetry as a thinker connects the lives of Henrietta Swan Leavitt and Edwin Hubble. Discover how their groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Delve into the emotional journeys of the creators of the Hubble Space Telescope, experiencing the triumphs and struggles behind its monumental discoveries. Prepare to be captivated by the cosmic truths and poetic beauty that humanity strives to uncover.
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Leavitt's Discovery
- Henrietta Swan Leavitt, one of the "Harvard Computers," discovered a relationship between star brightness and blinking patterns.
- This discovery enabled measuring star distances, a crucial yardstick for understanding the universe.
Hubble's Defiance and Discovery
- Edwin Hubble defied his father's wishes to study law and pursued his passion for astronomy.
- He discovered that the universe is expanding and much larger than previously thought.
Visionary Telescope Proposal
- In 1923, a scientist proposed using rocket technology to launch a telescope into orbit, bypassing atmospheric interference.
- This idea, realized generations later as the Hubble Space Telescope, revolutionized astronomy.