The UKIDSS Ultra-Deep Survey
The Ultra Deep Survey (UDS) is the deepest near-infrared survey ever conducted over such a large area (0.8 sq degrees). The aim is to understand how and when galaxies are formed and trace their evolution over the last 12 billion years. Over two hundred thousand galaxies have been detected so far.
The UDS is the deepest component of the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS). It began in 2005 and will continue until at least 2012. Data from the first five years of observation were released in October 2010.
Zooming into one small section of the UDS field. Light from many of the faint red galaxies has travelled over 12 billion light years to reach our telescopes.