A massive cluster of galaxies called Abell 2218 acts like a giant zoom lens in space. The gravitational field of the cluster magnifies the light of more distant galaxies far behind it, providing a deep probe of the very distant universe. The cluster was imaged in full color, providing astronomers with a spectacular and unique new view of the early universe.

"For the first time we can view the internal color structure of some very distant galaxies. This gives us new insight into details of what young galaxies are like," says Richard Ellis at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, and University of Cambridge, England and a co-investigator on an earlier (black- and-white) Hubble image of Abell 2218 taken in 1994. "The color of a distant source is preserved by gravitational lensing. By matching images of the same color, families of multiple images produced by the lensing process can be identified."

Andrew Fruchter, leader of the team who took the early release observations is particularly fascinated by an unusual red feature in the field. "This extraordinary object has colors which indicate it is one of two things, either a rare, extremely cool dwarf star in our own galaxy, or one of the most distant objects ever viewed by Hubble lensed into visibility by the mass of the cluster," says Fruchter. Further observations will be needed to confirm the identity of this unusual object.

Spacecraft operators report that all the new equipment installed on the telescope in December [1999] is working perfectly, including the new computer, solid state recorder, and fine guidance sensor. In particular the new gyroscopes are allowing Hubble to reliably point with exquisite precision at celestial objects.

Two key science instruments, the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, are now being used for routine science observations by astronomers worldwide to probe everything from planets, to black holes, to far flung galaxies.

Release Date: 1:00AM (EST) January 24, 2000