ALT A sprawling, textured field of galaxies is scattered across the deep black of space. It is filled with the delicate smudges and glowing cores of galaxies of many shapes, sizes and colors, as well as the bright multi-colored points of stars. At center left lies a large elliptical galaxy that is dense and smooth, like a polished stone glowing with golden light. At center top, another smooth elliptical galaxy is oriented horizontally, with a wispy tail extending right. At right, a group of interacting galaxies is connected by delicate streams of stars like spider silk, suggesting past interactions. All throughout the image, millions of galaxies gather in clusters or are spread throughout. Some are sharp-edged and spiral, like coiled ribbons; others round and diffuse, like polished pebbles. Still others are just smudges of various colors against the black of space. The background is peppered with pinpoint stars in reds, yellows, and blues, crisp against the velvet black.