When it comes to space exploration, nothing is ever quite as expected. Just when we think we have a grasp on the vast expanse and its workings, new technology or techniques present themselves, making the reality even stranger.In 1994, a purported Hubble image was released along with a report claiming that NASA scientists had spotted the “City of God” in deep space. If you’re feeling doubtful about this, you’re absolutely right. It’s natural to romanticize intrepid explorers, like the crew of The Ark, fearlessly venturing into deep space despite the inherent risks. Departing the planet carries a higher-than-average risk of mortality, but if an astronaut is destined for the afterlife, they don’t anticipate a direct flight. Or do they?Recently, a TikTok video has resurfaced the 30-year-old image of God’s celestial abode. Let’s make it clear from the start that the image is not authentic. Nonetheless, let’s dive into why it’s a fake and not part of a grand government cover-up.To Learn More about Hubble:
Hubble and JWST Join Forces to Create Most Colorful View of the Cosmos Ever
See What the Hubble Space Telescope Saw on Your Birthday
Hubble Captured a Supernova at Three Different Ages in One ImageThe First Time Hubble “Saw Heaven” This before (left) and after (right) image of the core of the galaxy M100 shows the dramatic improvement in Hubble’s view of the universe after the first servicing mission in December 1993. Photo: NASA The modern popular image of the cosmos was largely defined by the Hubble Space Telescope and its awe-inspiring views of the universe. Hubble launched aboard the space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990, and was deployed the following day. Soon after, it was evident that there was a flaw in the primary mirror, leading to blurry images. Despite this setback, Hubble started relaying images of distant cosmic objects and nearby planets, causing astronomers to reshape our understanding of existence.In December 1993, astronauts carried out the first servicing mission of Hubble. They installed instruments and updates aimed at rectifying the flawed mirror. Post-installation, the clarity of Hubble images saw a significant enhancement. At the time, Hubble was the most powerful orbital telescope in existence, offering an unparalleled perspective of the skies as well as paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries. Humans were granted an unprecedented view of the heavens, setting the stage for potentially earth-shattering revelations.RELATED: Hubble spies what may be a rogue black hole just 5,000 light years awayThe TikTok video proposes that NASA actually discovered heaven with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1994, shortly after the repairs. All the video’s claims are presented through a voiceover, reportedly based on information from the narrator’s uncle, who purportedly worked for NASA. However, a considerable amount of suspension of disbelief is required to accept these claims. While it may seem dubious, let’s proceed.Over the span of nearly five minutes, the video alleges that the heavenly structure shown in the image was an actual leak from NASA, and the organization attempted to suppress this truth. However, none of these assertions are valid, even if the video’s narrator genuinely has an uncle at NASA.For decades, there have been allegations that NASA discovered evidence of various religious beliefs. As soon as scientists began delving into the intricacies of the universe, claims emerged about uncovering divine evidence.No, NASA Did Not Capture Images of Heaven with the Hubble Space Telescope Herbig Haro 901 is an immense pillar of gas and dust inside the Carina Nebula. Herbig Haro 901 is an immense pillar of gas and dust inside the Carina Nebula, a huge star-forming region in our galaxy. The pillar is several light-years tall and contains a few massive young stars. Photo: NASA, ESA and G. Bacon (STScI) Image: NASA, ESA,and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI) In 2016, an image began circulating online, purportedly featuring the gates of heaven nestled within a nebula. The captions made the usual claims that scientists were perplexed by this finding, but it was invented. More precisely, it was a piece of art that was later exploited to peddle a religious narrative online. The image was derived from an actual Hubble image of Messier 17, the Swan Nebula, and manipulated by the artist Adam Ferriss using a pixel sorting process to create what was dubbed the gates of heaven. Ferriss never asserted any authenticity about his work, but it was later adopted by others who attached the narrative of heaven’s gate.At least those who circulated the image had the sense to fabricate a new story and use a new image. The recent viral video around the City of God image fails in that regard. Instead, it recycles a tale from 1994, a story that was widely discredited when it first appeared in newsstands three decades ago. The image was initially published in a Weekly World News article titled “Heaven Photographed by Hubble Telescope.” In 2009, the story was republished online. For those unfamiliar with Weekly World News, it was a tabloid focused on half-bat, half-human hybrids and deciphering whether one was descended from extraterrestrials. People bought it for entertainment, not for revelation of concealed truths.The story is based on a fragile foundation of truth. It begins with the discussion of Hubble’s recent repairs, which rectified the mirror defect, and the first clear images captured thereafter. It was purported that astronomers aimed Hubble at “the edge of the universe” and spotted a resplendent celestial city in space. The image, like the publication itself, is in black and white, displaying what seems like a distant city or a large house on a hill, set against a dark, star-studded sky.Rays of light extend from the edges of the city, reaching out into space at peculiar angles, enhancing the heavenly appearance of the city but also revealing its artificial nature. These rays are not accurate, as they appear distorted. When observing images from Hubble or the James Webb Space Telescope, it’s noticeable that bright objects like stars have characteristic light patterns emanating from them. It’s also apparent that the patterns in Hubble images differ from those in JWST images, and there’s a reason for that.RELATED: Psst! Wanna see an actual Hubble image of a planet forming around a nearby star?Diffraction spikes are a distinct feature in images obtained with mirror-based telescopes. The light collected by the primary mirror gets slightly distorted, both from its interaction with the mirror and passing by the support struts. When examining large, diffuse objects, the distortion is minimal and not easily noticeable. However, when looking at stars, the intense light causes noticeable spikes. Importantly, these spikes are artifacts of the telescope’s structure and do not accurately represent the observed object. This means that the telescope used can be identified from the spike pattern.The scattered nature of the spikes in the image of heaven doesn’t align with this explanation. There are around a dozen spikes extending in various directions, predominantly favoring the left side. These diffraction spike patterns do not match those of Hubble or any other orbital telescope. Hubble’s diffraction spikes (seen in the authentic Hubble image above) form a simple cross, with horizontal and vertical spikes that splay out at right angles. There are only four such spikes, always at 90-degree angles to each other. While this doesn’t definitively prove that the image or the story is false, it does indicate that Hubble did not capture it.The rest of the story unravels upon scrutiny. It heavily relies on statements from author and researcher Dr. Marcia Masson. However, there is no record of Dr. Masson in scientific literature, involved in astronomical endeavors during the alleged photo’s release or at any other time.Every other claim in the story, including the personal interest taken by then-President and Vice President Bill Clinton and Al Gore in the photo, and the scientists’ conclusion that “the only logical explanation was that the city was inhabited by the souls of the dead” and “we found where God lives,” is derived from unnamed NASA sources.Of course, perhaps this all plays a part in the cover-up.The story of The Ark is currently on hold but will return for Season 2 on SYFY later this year! Who knows what they’ll discover. In the meantime, a wide selection of science fiction is available for streaming on Peacock.
