Simulated Galaxy Cluster View
Stunningly detailed, this picture is a
computer simulated view
of a cluster of galaxies
in the distant cosmos.
A large, elliptical galaxy dominates this hypothetical cluster's
central region surrounded by a swarm of member galaxies.
Other galaxies which lie far behind the cluster are seen as numerous
visible concentric arcs -
lensed by the enormous
gravitational field
dominated by dark matter
within the cluster itself.
Such magnificent images are expected to be achieved by the
Advanced
Camera for Surveys (ACS), one of
the upgrades
being installed on the
Hubble Space Telescope during the
ongoing servicing mission.
Compared to Hubble's workhorse
Wide Field Planetary Camera 2
(WFPC2), whose achievements include the current
deep
field views of the Universe, the new technology ACS
will be twice as sharp an imager with twice the
field of view and five times the sensitivity.
Along with extended views of the distant cosmos,
enthusiastic astronomers also plan to use the ACS to monitor
our own Solar System and to search for
planets orbiting stars beyond the Sun.