Which Hubble instrument is primarily used for imaging, such as mapping the structure and distribution of gas in galaxies?
Answer
Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3)
The Hubble Space Telescope utilizes several specialized tools divided mainly between imaging and spectroscopic analysis. For capturing detailed photographs that allow astronomers to map out the spatial organization of stellar populations and gas clouds, instruments like the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) are employed. These instruments function as advanced cameras, focusing on high-resolution spatial data collection, whereas spectrographs are dedicated to breaking down the light into constituent wavelengths for chemical and physical analysis.
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