Exploring Space: Hubble, the ISS, and the James Webb Telescope

Next Generation Science

This educational video provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of humanity's presence in the solar system, moving from a broad look at our planetary neighborhood to specific human-made instruments orbiting in space. It begins by establishing the scale of the solar system, identifying the sun, planets, moons, and asteroids, before zooming in on Earth. The narrative then expands outward, introducing three critical pieces of space technology: the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station (ISS), and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). A key focus of the video is illustrating the relative distances of these objects from Earth. Using clear animations and on-screen metrics (in both kilometers and miles), it visually demonstrates the vast difference between the Low Earth Orbit of the Hubble and ISS compared to the distant orbit of the Moon and the even more distant vantage point of the James Webb Telescope. This visual comparison helps students grasp the concept of space scale and orbital mechanics in an accessible way. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent bridge between lessons on the solar system and units on space exploration technology. It introduces complex concepts like the L2 Lagrange point and orbital distances with simple visuals, making it a valuable tool for discussing how astronomers study the universe. The video highlights themes of engineering marvels and international cooperation, providing multiple entry points for classroom discussion.