Hubble Sees ‘Space Invader’ Image

http://www.dearastronomer.com/

In a phenomenon known as “gravitational lensing” the light from distant galaxies is bent and magnified by the massive galaxy cluster Abell 68.

Shown in the image above, the spiral galaxy at upper left has been distorted in such a way that it resembles one of the iconic aliens from the classic Atari game Space Invaders!. A less distorted image of the galaxy can be found to the left of the large, bright elliptical galaxy. Last month we had Asteroids with 2012 DA14, and now we have Space Invaders!. I sure hope Missile Command isn’t next!

Learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html

Source: NASA Image of the Day Gallery

Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer