Explanation: More than 500,000 galaxies are visible in the central panel of this remarkable astronomy image captured by the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The image features the COSMOS field, a region of deep space several times larger than the full Moon. First studied by the Hubble Space Telescope, the COSMOS field has also been observed by the James Webb Space Telescope and other major observatories. Because it contains relatively few bright Milky Way stars, astronomers can observe distant galaxies beyond our own galaxy with less obstruction. The 10 outer panels show magnified views of the corresponding regions marked in the central image. The incredible range of galaxy shapes, sizes, and structures is truly astonishing. For some of these distant galaxies, their light traveled for billions of years before reaching Earth. As part of its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will revisit the COSMOS field every few days. These repeated observations will create a dynamic view of the universe, revealing how the COSMOS field and the changing sky evolve over time.
Tomorrow’s picture: A Messier moment
Source: science.nasa.gov