Bits Missing From Hubble Photos

In summary, the black squares seen in some photos from the Hubble Space Telescope, like the one provided in the conversation, are a result of the mosaic image created using the "Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2." This camera is composed of four CCD chips, one of which has a different optics package, resulting in a "stairstep" pattern in the final image. This can also be a result of post-processing problems when layering colors. However, these missing pixels are just gaps in the overlay and not evidence of any cover-up.
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  • #2
Maybe there's a bright foreground object there that would ruin the processing of the data?
 
  • #3
The majority of the photos you see from the Hubble Space Telescope, like this one, were taken with the "Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2," which is composed of four independent CCD chips laid out in an array. One of the CCDs has a different optics package to increase its resolution, so, when used together to form a mosaic image, a "stairstep" pattern results. If you look closely at this image, you'll see the slightly different color balance from the "PC" CCD versus the other three, larger, "WFC" CCDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_Field_and_Planetary_Camera_2

- Warren
 
  • #4
isnt it obvious...

alien saucer! and The MAN is covering it up!

just kidding. :confused:

Hurkyl explained one reason why this could be.

The other might be post-processing problems.

you should be aware that these pictures are slowly layered into colour.

personally with photoshop I've seen quite a few times problems when i tried this. I would layer the colours and the last steps the colours would over saturate and it would then make it very blurry. so to save the colour picture u need to remove the blur, and by that u need to remove the affecting light source.
 
  • #5
Hurkyl explained one reason why this could be.
I was speculating. chroot posted the answer already.
 
  • #6
Chroot is correct. The published photos are mosaic images. The missing pixels are merely gaps in the overlay.
 

What are "Bits Missing From Hubble Photos"?

"Bits Missing From Hubble Photos" refer to missing or incomplete sections of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. These missing bits can occur due to various factors such as technical issues, data transmission problems, or human error.

Why are there bits missing from Hubble photos?

As with any complex technology, there can be technical problems that can result in missing or incomplete data in Hubble photos. These can include issues with the telescope's instruments, data transmission errors, or issues with the software used to process the images.

How do scientists deal with missing bits in Hubble photos?

Scientists use various techniques to deal with missing bits in Hubble photos, such as filling in the missing data with estimated values based on surrounding data, using software algorithms to reconstruct the missing sections, or combining multiple images to create a more complete picture.

Can missing bits in Hubble photos affect scientific research?

Yes, missing bits in Hubble photos can have an impact on scientific research. In some cases, the missing data may be crucial for understanding a particular phenomenon or object, and without it, scientists may have to make assumptions or work with incomplete information.

Is there a way to prevent missing bits in Hubble photos?

While it is not possible to completely eliminate the possibility of missing bits in Hubble photos, scientists and engineers continuously work to improve the telescope's instruments and data processing techniques to minimize these occurrences. Additionally, redundancy and error correction methods are used to help prevent missing data from affecting the overall quality of the images.

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