deep field

American

[deep feeld] / ˈdip ˈfild /

noun

Astronomy.

a composite image of far distant objects in space, compiled from multiple exposures capturing blue, red, and infrared light, with the wavelength of each contributing data points by which the distance and age of a cosmic object can be calculated (often used attributively): The most recent deep field images could help astronomers understand the chemistry of the early universe.

The James Webb Space Telescope can capture deep fields far more distant than Hubble ever could.
The most recent deep field images could help astronomers understand the chemistry of the early universe.

Etymology

Origin of deep field

First recorded in 1870–75 as a term in cricket; as an astronomical term in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I love a deep field image that shows the most distant galaxy cluster we've ever seen.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024

The two galaxies were among 60,000 sources of light in Pandora's Cluster detected in one of JWST's first deep field images taken during 2022, its first year of science operations.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2023

With a deep field this year, there are plenty of contenders.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 2023

The most unpredictable event might be the men’s 1,500 meters, with a deep field of qualifiers led by Yared Nuguse’s run of 3 minutes, 29.02 seconds earlier this season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2023

Mr. Stanley Dromard, who had been scoring heavily all the week, happened to be in the deep field close to the tent.

From Tiny Luttrell by Hornung, Ernest William

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023