The Hubble Space Telescope’
s iconic image of the Eagle Nebula’
s “Pillars of Creation” heralded the instrument’
s rebirth in 1995 and showed the public just how incredible astrophotography could be above Earth’
s atmosphere. “No one imagined a reaction that would turn the image into a cultural icon,” Astronomy Contributing Editor Jeff Hester — who actually took the photo — said in April’
s Hubble commemorative issue. The image has graced everything from U.
S. postage stamps to classroom posters.
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