The Universe 11 billion years ago: This image shows a "slice" of the Universe some 11 billion years back in time. The shape is that of the Hubble tuning fork diagram, which describes and separates galaxies according to their morphology into spiral (S), elliptical (E), and lenticular (S0) galaxies. On the left of this diagram are the ellipticals, with lenticulars in the  middle, and the spirals branching out on the right side. The spirals on the bottom branch have bars cutting through their centres. The galaxies at these distances from us are small and still in the process of forming. This image is illustrative; the Hubble images used were selected based on their appearance. The individual distances to these galaxies are only approximate.

Name: Hubble Galaxy Classification
Type: Early Universe : GalaxyEarly Universe : Cosmology
Category: CosmologyGalaxies
Release date: 15 August 2013, 15:00
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Kornmesser

CANDELS galaxies reveal the Hubble Sequence throughout the Universe's history: The previous release images were illustrative, designed to show how different galaxy types change as we go back in time. This image has been added to show several of the actual galaxies that were observed during Hubble's CANDELS survey, and used as part of this study. This image shows "slices" of the Universe at different times throughout its history (present day, and at 4 and 11 billion years ago). Each slice goes further back in time, showing how galaxies of each type appear. The shape is that of the Hubble tuning fork diagram, which describes and separates galaxies according to their morphology into spiral (S), elliptical (E), and lenticular (S0) galaxies. On the left of this diagram are the ellipticals, with lenticulars in the middle, and the spirals branching out on the right side. The spirals on the bottom branch have bars cutting through their centres. The galaxies in the "4 billion years" and "11 billion years" slides are all taken from CANDELS data. The present-day Universe shows big, fully formed and intricate galaxy shapes. As we go further back in time, they become smaller and less mature, as these galaxies are still in the process of forming. As far back as 11 billion years, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the different types visually, but this new study has found the sequence to be in place at these times.

Name: Hubble Galaxy Classification
Type: Early Universe : GalaxyEarly Universe : Cosmology
Category: CosmologyGalaxies
Release date: 15 August 2013, 15:00
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Kornmesser; the CANDELS team (H. Ferguson)

Bipolar planetary nebula PN Hb 12: This image shows an example of a bipolar planetary nebula known as PN Hb 12 — popularly known as Hubble 12 — in the constellation of Cassiopeia. The striking shape of this nebula, reminiscent of a butterfly or an hourglass, was formed as a Sun-like star approached the end of its life and puffed its outer layers into the surrounding space. For bipolar nebulae, this material is funnelled towards the poles of the ageing star, creating the distinctive double-lobed structure. Observations using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NTT have found that bipolar planetary nebulae located towards the central bulge of our Milky Way appear to be strangely aligned in the sky  — a surprising result given their varied and chaotic formation. PN Hb 12 was not part of the new study. A version of this image was entered into the Hubble's Hidden Treasures image processing competition by contestant Josh Barrington.

Name: PN G111.8-02.8, PN Hb 12
Type: Local Universe : Nebula : Type : Planetary
Category: Nebulae
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Release date: 4 September 2013, 15:00
Credit: NASA, ESA Acknowledgement: Josh Barrington

A selection of Hubble’s planetary nebulae: This mosaic shows a selection of stunning images of bipolar planetary nebulae taken by Hubble. A new study using Hubble observations has found that bipolar planetary nebulae located towards the central bulge of our Milky Way appear to be strangely aligned in the sky  — a surprising result given their varied histories. The nebulae shown here were not involved in this new study, but demonstrate the varied forms of these spectacular objects.

Name: Hen 3-1475, Hubble 5, M2-9, NGC 5189, NGC 6302, NGC 6881
Type: Local Universe : Nebula : Type : Planetary
Category: Nebulae
Release date: 4 September 2013, 15:00
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA NGC 6302: NASA, ESA and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team NGC 6881: ESA/Hubble & NASA NGC 5189: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) M2-9: Bruce Balick (University of Washington), Vincent Icke (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Garrelt Mellema (Stockholm University), and NASA/ESA Hen 3-1475: ESA/Hubble & NASA Hubble 5: Bruce Balick (University of Washington), Vincent Icke (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Garrelt Mellema (Stockholm University), and NASA/ESA

New Hubble view of galaxy cluster Abell 1689: This new Hubble image shows galaxy cluster Abell 1689. It combines both visible and infrared data from Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) with a combined exposure time of over 34 hours (image on left over 13 hours, image on right over 20 hours) to reveal this patch of sky in greater and striking detail than in previous observations. This image is peppered with glowing golden clumps, bright stars, and distant, ethereal spiral galaxies. Material from some of these galaxies is being stripped away, giving the impression that the galaxy is dripping, or bleeding, into the surrounding space. Also visible are a number of electric blue streaks, circling and arcing around the fuzzy galaxies in the centre. These streaks are the telltale signs of a cosmic phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. Abell 1689 is so massive that it bends and warps the space around it, affecting how light from objects behind the cluster travels through space. These streaks are the distorted forms of galaxies that lie behind the cluster.

Name: Abell 1689, Virgo Cluster
Type: Early Universe : Galaxy : Type : Gravitationally LensedEarly Universe : Galaxy : Grouping : Cluster
Category: Cosmology
Constellation: Virgo
Distance: 2 billion light years
Release date: 12 September 2013, 17:00
Credit: NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), J. Blakeslee (NRC Herzberg Astrophysics Program, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory), and H. Ford (JHU)