TED: Our longing for cosmic truth and poetic beauty | Maria Popova

The video explores the contributions of Henrietta Leavitt and Edwin Hubble to astronomy. Leavitt's work on variable stars enabled the measurement of stellar distances, while Hubble discovered the universe's expansion and the existence of other galaxies. The development of the Hubble Space Telescope, despite initial setbacks, revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. The narrative also includes a personal story of a NASA engineer's daughter, highlighting the telescope's cultural impact.

Who were the Harvard Computers and what was their contribution to astronomy?

What significant discovery did Edwin Hubble make about the universe?

What was the initial misconception about Andromeda before Hubble's observations?

Describe the importance of Henrietta Levitt's data in Hubble's findings.

How did the Hubble Space Telescope's launch in 1990 impact our understanding of the universe?

What challenges did the Hubble Space Telescope face after its launch?

Reflect on the emotional impact of the Hubble project on the engineers and scientists involved.