These images of M100ΓÇÖs core were taken before (left) and after (right) the servicing of the Hubble telescope. The difference is astonishing. Optical aberrations in the telescopeΓÇÖs main mirror caused light to scatter and blur. Although useful for scientific purposes and spectacular in their own right, such early images only hint at the telescopeΓÇÖs power. The image on the right, taken after correction, reveals a stunning array of detail: it traces the paths of the spiral arms to the galaxyΓÇÖs core, and even shows individual stars.
