Hubble Space Telescope. Artwork of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in Earth orbit, facing the giant gas and dust pillars of the Eagle Nebula (M16). This spectacular nebula image of star formation was taken by the HST. Reflected on the telescope is Earths blue atmosphere, water and clouds. Two solar arrays (rectangular) that power the HST are seen. The telescope has a 2.4 metre primary mirror and makes observations at ultra violet, optical and infrared wavelengths. Unaffec ted by the Earths atmosphere, HST images are 10 times more detailed than from ground telescopes. Fingers emerging from pillars of the Nebula contain dense regions which are stars being born.