The Hubble Ultra-Deep Field (HUDF) is an image of a small region of apparently empty (to most telescopes) space, about 1/10th the diameter of the moon, in the constellation Fornax near Orion. The light from some galaxies started our way approximately 13 billion years (between 400 and 800 million years after the Big Bang), so most of the stars that gave off the light seen have long since burned out or gone nova, and any life about them extinushed. The image contains an estimated 10,000 galaxies.

Detailed analyses of mankind's deepest optical view of the universe has identified what may turn out to be the earliest star-forming galaxies.

The image below, 6600 x 6300 pixels, shows galaxies of various ages, sizes, shapes, and colors. The smallest, reddest galaxies are some of the most distant galaxies to have been imaged by an optical telescope, probably existing shortly after the Big Bang.

Mouse over and use the wheel to zoom in and hold left button to pan. A full screen mode is available.

Upgrade to Civilization 2.0: The Culture of Inquiry

Supporters of the free, the curious, and the critical need to find ways to encourage a love of free, skeptical inquiry. Perhaps it's time to collectively awaken from our 'dogmatic slumbers,' celebrate inquiry, and light a candle or two in the dark.