By ESA/Hubble
October 24, 2021
Hubble Space Telescope picture of the spiral nebula NGC 2903 captured utilizing Hubbles Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) in 2021. Credit: ESA/Hubble & & NASA, L. Ho, J. Lee and the PHANGS-HST Team
This jewel-bright Picture of the Week includes the spiral nebula NGC 2903. This image was recorded using Hubbles Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), which were installed on Hubble in 2002 and 2009 respectively. Interestingly, Hubble has actually observed this specific galaxy prior to, in 2001, (see image below) when neither the wfc3 or the acs had actually yet been set up.
The 2021 image boasts greater resolution, which indicates that NGC 2903 is more carefully detailed than in the 2001 image. The ACS and WFC2 collectively cover a large range of ultraviolet, optical, and infrared wavelengths, which suggests that the 2021 image likewise has superior wavelength protection to that of its 20-year-old predecessor. The 2001 image was taken using the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), which was Hubbles workhorse instrument from 1993 up until 2009 when it was changed by the WFC3.
Hubble Space Telescope picture of the spiral galaxy NGC 2903 recorded utilizing Hubbles Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in 2001. Credit: ESA & & NASA
Hubble has a interesting and long history of crewed service objectives, which were performed in order to correct for flaws in Hubbles mirror, to upgrade Hubbles technical systems, and to eliminate old instruments and install brand-new ones. One of Hubbles the majority of exceptional features is its unbelievable durability, and this would not have actually been possible with the great success of the servicing missions. The juxtaposition of the 2001 and 2021 pictures of NGC 2903– both remarkable images for their time– highlights the worth of a steady, accessible platform in area that can reliably gather data, not just year after year, but years after decade.