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Twenty years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope shot the above photo, that’s since been called the “Pillars of Creation.” It’s of the Eagle Nebula, 6,500 light years away, and it’s an absolutely stunning image of the universe beyond our solar system.
Now, NASA has used updated technology to shoot the below follow-up, an even clearer, high-definition image of the nebula.
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It’s not only beautiful, but actually helpful for scientists. From NBC News:
Not only does the enhanced detail make for beauty, but astronomers can see how this corner of the nebula has changed over the last two decades. One small jet-like structure, for instance, has been cruising at about 450,000 miles per hour, traveling 60 billion miles — though it’s hard to even spot the difference, so vast are these cosmic columns.
I can’t see the difference in any corners, but if you stare at it long enough with your eyes crossed, it looks like a pony!
