Formed in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been at the forefront of some of the greatest achievements in human history. From the Apollo moon-landing missions to the Skylab space station, the agency has been pushing science and humanity forwards for over 50 years. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched as a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency in 1990. Because the telescope orbits around Earth, it is free from atmospheric alterations, meaning it can take high-resolution images with almost no distortion. Over the years, the Hubble Space Telescope has been responsible for some truly incredible breakthroughs, such as recording an accurate rate of the universe's expansion. The telescope has also allowed for images that would have only been thought possible only within the realms of science fiction until just a decade or two ago. This list takes a look at 15 of the most stunning images that NASA have ever publically released. From intertwined galaxies to the birth of stars, these images will blow your mind and make you feel very, very small.
15. The Galaxy Rose
Originally released to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope launch, this beautiful image portrays two galaxies interacting with each other in an unusual fashion. The result is a distinctive, flower-like shape that has led many to dub it the 'Galaxy Rose'. The reason for this shape is thought to be due to the smaller galaxy passing through the larger one, leading to the distorted shaping. Over millions of years, the smaller galaxy was twisted and turned from tidal interactions until it finally passed through fully.