Since those are some of the most spectacular images known to man, that's a big deal

Jan 9, 2014 14:38 GMT  ·  By

The MakerBot Replicator 2 3D Printer has struck again, this time creating things that will bring light to the lives of the blind.

And I'm being perfectly serious here. The 3D printer has been used to allow blind people to “see” what the outer space looks like.

How? By 3D printing tactile “images” of photos taken by the Hubble space telescope.

The models were provided by a pair of astronomers from the Space Telescope Science Institute.

So far, they've made 3D prototypes showing gas clouds, stars and filaments.

Raised circles and dots formed in the plastic represent the various astral objects.

Eventually, the scientists hope to make tactile pictures for the general public, but they'll start with libraries and schools first.

It's not the same as actually seeing the heavens, but it is far better than nothing.