Exploring a Deep Field

Here’s a deep field image from the Rubin Observatory LSST Camera. Nearly all of the objects in this image are galaxies, but many appear so small they could easily be mistaken for stars. This image shows thousands of galaxies of different sizes, brightness, and colors.

What relationships may exist between the brightness and color of a galaxy and its distance? Let’s find out.

  • 1.

    Begin by clicking on twenty of the large galaxies in the image. As you do, a circle will appear around the galaxies you select and you will add data points to the plot at the right. Note: not all the galaxies in this image have data. Keep clicking until you can record at least twenty data points for large galaxies.

    Then click on twenty of the small galaxies. Keep clicking until you have added at least twenty more data points for the small galaxies.

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Galaxy Selector

Brightness vs. Distance

0246810121416182022242628Distance (Billion LY)020406080100120140160180200Observed Brightness (Flux µJy)Brighter

Please answer all questions before continuing to the next page.