NASA. LARGE FORMAT. This photograph from an engineering test - Lot 343

NASA. LARGE FORMAT. This photograph from an engineering test of the Webb Space Telescope's FINE GUIDANCE SENSOR (FGS) is actually one of the deepest images of the universe ever taken. The bright stars are distinguished by their six long, well-defined diffraction peaks, an effect caused by the segments of Webb's six-sided mirror. Beyond the stars, galaxies occupy almost the entire background. This photograph was obtained from 72 shots taken over 32 hours of exposure time. The particularity of this photograph is therefore exceptional: while it does not constitute a precise scientific image (enabling us, for example, to determine the age of the galaxies featured), it does reveal fabulous technical data on the capabilities of the James Webb telescope, and provides an outstanding snapshot of the reality of our deep universe. Vintage chromogenic print. NASA reference in the margin on the front. Legend on label on back. 40.6 x 40.6 cm with margins.