June 2009 - Galaxy Cluster Abell 1703

The massive galaxy cluster Abell 1703 is composed of over 100 different galaxies that act as a powerful cosmic telescope, or gravitational lens. The huge yellow elliptical galaxies scattered across the image bend and focus light rays coming from more remote objects to create the distorted blue arcs visible in this Hubble image. This technique allow astronomers to see deeper into the Universe than is possible with current technology alone.