Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope is a long-term, space-based observatory. Its position outside the Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely sharp images, the observations are carried out in visible, infrared and ultraviolet light. It is a collaboration between ESA and NASA.

Hubbles best shots

Eagle Nebula: Cradle of stars In this detailed view from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the so-called Cat's Eye Nebula looks like the penetrating eye of the disembodied sorcerer Sauron from the film adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings." The nebula, formally cataloged NGC 6543, is every bit as inscrutable as the J.R.R. Tolkien phantom character. Though the Cat's Eye Nebula was one of the first planetary nebulae to be discovered, it is one of the most complex such nebulae seen in space.