Hubble Views Moon to Study Earth

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have detected ozone in Earth's atmosphere by using the moon as a mirror to reflect sunlight. This method serves as a proxy for observing planets around other stars. The experiment marked the first time ultraviolet light passing through Earth's atmosphere was observed from space, detecting ozone's spectral fingerprint. Ozone, linked to photosynthesis, could indicate life on other planets. Detecting ozone on distant worlds is challenging, but space telescopes can overcome Earth's atmospheric limitations. The transit method allows probing of exoplanet atmospheres. Hubble's experiments on Earth during a lunar eclipse mimic exoplanet transits, aiding future studies to find habitable planets.

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