What was the initial galaxy count reported when the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF) results were first published?
Answer
over 2,500 galaxies
When the results from the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF) were initially processed and published, the galaxy count was often reported as being over 2,500. This figure was subject to continuous refinement as scientists dedicated more time to analyzing the data. Through stacking additional data, applying advanced processing techniques, and identifying objects barely visible above the noise floor, the confirmed count steadily climbed to the more widely accepted figure of approximately 10,000 galaxies. This progression highlights the distinction between the initial visually stunning image and the deeper scientific dataset revealed through sustained study.

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