The Sun, Space Shuttle Atlantis and Hubble Space Telescope Pictured Together for the First Time

The black spots are the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope
The black spot in the lower left quadrant is the Space Shuttle Atlantis

This is the sun. It looks like a typical photograph of the sun…until you look a little closer. Astrophotographer Thierry Legault took one of the most amazing pictures I have ever seen. In the lower left quadrant you can see a black spot. That black spot is actually the Space Shuttle Atlantis. If you zoom in, you can actually see two black spots:

Space Shuttle Atlantis and Hubble Space Telescope set against the Sun
Space Shuttle Atlantis and Hubble Space Telescope set against the Sun

Apparently, Legault snapped this photograph as the Atlantis was just minutes away from catching up with the Hubble Space Telescope. This picture is the first of its kind. Because this is the final space shuttle mission to the Hubble telescope, this was the last opportunity to even attempt to capture this image. Zooming in even further, and the image looks even more grainy and stunning:

Space Shuttle Atlantis Silhoutte on the Sun
Space Shuttle Atlantis Silhoutte on the Sun

Wow. Simply amazing. I’m out of words. Enjoy!