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Edwin Hubble
1889–1953 · Astronomer
An American astronomer whose observations showed that Andromeda lies far beyond the Milky Way and whose measurements provided crucial evidence for an expanding universe.
“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.”
Why is this scientist famous?
Showed that galaxies exist far beyond the Milky Way and published the distance–redshift relationship now called the Hubble–Lemaître law.
Hubble used Cepheid variable stars to show that Andromeda lies far outside the Milky Way, greatly expanding the known scale of the universe. In 1929 he published a relationship between galaxy distance and recession speed that provided powerful observational support for an expanding universe. His work built on major contributions by Henrietta Leavitt, Vesto Slipher, Georges Lemaître and others.
Edwin's story
Early Life
Born in 1889 in Marshfield, Missouri, Hubble was an exceptional athlete — he played basketball and ran track at the University of Chicago, and held the Illinois high school high jump record. He studied law as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford but returned to astronomy, earning his doctorate at the Yerkes Observatory.
Other Galaxies
At Mount Wilson Observatory, Hubble identified Cepheid variable stars in Andromeda. Using the period–luminosity relationship discovered through Henrietta Leavitt's work, he showed that Andromeda was far beyond the Milky Way and therefore a separate galaxy.
The Expanding Universe
Before Hubble's 1929 paper, Vesto Slipher had measured the redshifts of many spiral nebulae, and Georges Lemaître had used theory and observations in 1927 to describe an expanding universe and a relationship between distance and recession speed. Hubble combined galaxy-distance measurements with redshift data and published strong observational evidence for this relationship in 1929. It is now known as the Hubble–Lemaître law.
Legacy
Hubble spent his career at Mount Wilson, classifying galaxies and refining his measurements. He never won a Nobel Prize, although he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953. The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, was named in his honour and has revealed the universe in unprecedented detail. He died in 1953, and his wife arranged no funeral — his burial location is unknown.
What did they discover?
Other Galaxies Exist
Used Cepheid variable stars to show that Andromeda lies far beyond the Milky Way, providing decisive evidence that the universe contains other galaxies.
Hubble–Lemaître Law
In 1929 Hubble published strong observational evidence that more distant galaxies have larger recession speeds. The relationship, now called the Hubble–Lemaître law, built on earlier work by Vesto Slipher and Georges Lemaître.
Galaxy Classification
Developed the Hubble sequence, a system for classifying galaxies (spiral, elliptical, irregular) that is still used today.
Amazing facts
He was a star athlete who held the Illinois high school high jump record.
He studied law as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford before switching to astronomy.
Hubble's 1929 observations helped convince astronomers that the universe is not static, alongside theoretical work by scientists including Alexander Friedmann and Georges Lemaître.
The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, was named after him.
He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953 but did not receive it.
His burial location is unknown — his wife arranged no funeral, in accordance with his wishes.
Timeline
Born in Marshfield, Missouri on November 20
Graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in mathematics and astronomy
Studied law as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University
Earned his PhD in astronomy from the University of Chicago, based on research at Yerkes Observatory
Began working at Mount Wilson Observatory in California with the 100-inch Hooker telescope
Announced evidence from Cepheid variable stars showing that Andromeda lies far beyond the Milky Way
Published the galaxy distance–redshift relationship now called the Hubble–Lemaître law
Einstein visited Hubble at Mount Wilson and accepted the expanding universe
Died in San Marino, California on September 28, age 63
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched and named in his honour
Awards & honours
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