A composite image of the first four images taken by Hubble Space Telescope's new Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Click on image for full size (106K JPEG) Windows Original (Based on Image courtesy of NASA and the ACS Science Team)

Four ACS images of the universe were released yesterday. The first is a colliding galaxy fondly named the Tadpole. Tadpole is 420 million light-years away. The "tail" that you see is actually a line of stars!

Another image shows the collision of two spiral galaxies. These two galaxies are known as the Mice. A third image shows the cold dust and gas of the Cone Nebula. Finally, you can see the Omega Nebula, which is a hotbed for new star and planet formation.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era of exploration with Hubble," said Dr. Ed Weiler, Associate Administrator for Space Science at NASA Headquarters, Washington. "Our team of scientists and engineers on the ground and the astronauts in space once again did the impossible. After 12 years in space, Hubble not only was given a major overhaul, its new camera has already shown us that, even after 12 years of great science and astounding images, we haven't seen anything yet."

A composite image of the first four images taken by Hubble Space Telescope's new Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Click on image for full size (106K JPEG) Windows Original (Based on Image courtesy of NASA and the ACS Science Team)

Four ACS images of the universe were released yesterday. The first is a colliding galaxy fondly named the Tadpole. Tadpole is 420 million light-years away. The "tail" that you see is actually a line of stars!

Another image shows the collision of two spiral galaxies. These two galaxies are known as the Mice. A third image shows the cold dust and gas of the Cone Nebula. Finally, you can see the Omega Nebula, where a lot of new stars and planets are being formed.

A composite image of the first four images taken by Hubble Space Telescope's new Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Click on image for full size (106K JPEG) Windows Original (Based on Image courtesy of NASA and the ACS Science Team)

It took the four pictures to the left. Scientists sometimes give things out in space funny names, especially if they look like something here on Earth. Tadpole is a colliding galaxy. The Mice are two colliding spiral galaxies. The third image shows the cold dust and gas of the Cone Nebula. Finally, you can see the Omega Nebula, where a lot of stars and planets are being born.