Images of space – in pictures

  • The galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: Nasa / AP
    The galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: Nasa / AP
  • An interplanetary dust cloud. Photo: European Space Agency
    An interplanetary dust cloud. Photo: European Space Agency
  • The Hubble captured chaotic activity at the top of a three-light-year-tall pillar of gas and dust that is being eaten away by light from bright stars nearby. Photo: Nasa
    The Hubble captured chaotic activity at the top of a three-light-year-tall pillar of gas and dust that is being eaten away by light from bright stars nearby. Photo: Nasa
  • The Southern Ring Nebula is nearly half-a-light-year in diameter and 2,000 light years from Earth. Photo: AFP / Nasa / The Hubble Heritage Team
    The Southern Ring Nebula is nearly half-a-light-year in diameter and 2,000 light years from Earth. Photo: AFP / Nasa / The Hubble Heritage Team
  • A cluster of young stars surrounded by clouds of interstellar gas and dust in nebula NGC 3603 in the Carina constellation. Reuters
    A cluster of young stars surrounded by clouds of interstellar gas and dust in nebula NGC 3603 in the Carina constellation. Reuters
  • A Fine Guidance Sensor test image acquired in parallel with NIRCam imaging of the star HD147980. AFP
    A Fine Guidance Sensor test image acquired in parallel with NIRCam imaging of the star HD147980. AFP
  • Rare image of three galaxies in one photo frame. Photo: Hubble Space Telescope / European Space Agency
    Rare image of three galaxies in one photo frame. Photo: Hubble Space Telescope / European Space Agency
  • A composite image of M51 with X-rays from Chandra and optical light from Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope contains a box that marks the location of a possible planet. Photo: Nasa
    A composite image of M51 with X-rays from Chandra and optical light from Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope contains a box that marks the location of a possible planet. Photo: Nasa
  • The main mirror assembly of the James Webb Space Telescope during testing at a Northrop Grumman complex in Redondo Beach, California. Photo: Nasa / AP
    The main mirror assembly of the James Webb Space Telescope during testing at a Northrop Grumman complex in Redondo Beach, California. Photo: Nasa / AP
  • An artist's rendering of the James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: Northrop Grumman / Nasa / AP
    An artist's rendering of the James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: Northrop Grumman / Nasa / AP