The Story Of One Of The Most Iconic Images In Astronomy

The Story Of One Of The Most Iconic Images In Astronomy

When you're an astronomer who wants to use the Hubble Telescope, you usually know exactly what you want to observe. For one particular image, however, astronomers pointed the telescope at nothing at all. Hear the story behind the iconic Hubble Deep Field image in the video below.

The Hubble Photo That Changed Astronomy

Here's how they captured the image that has made humanity feel awfully small ever since.

Why The Hubble Deep Field Image Is So Cool

If you're not impressed by the Hubble Deep Field, here's why you should be.

Why The Hubble Telescope Needed Glasses

When you make a mistake on a multi-billion dollar project, you'd better fix it quickly.


Key Facts In This Video

  • 1

    Hubble was launched with an irregularly shaped mirror that kept it from being able to focus properly. (0:43)

  • 2

    In 1993, NASA equipped Hubble with what amounts to eyeglasses, correcting its "vision" and allowing it to capture crystal clear images of the universe. (1:08)

  • 3

    Over the years, the Hubble Telescope has sent back many images, including highlights such as The Pillars of Creation, Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, and the Deep Field image. (1:28)

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Space Exploration

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