When VLT meets HST: the HUGS survey

A new ultra-deep near-infrared imaging survey has been completed using the HAWK-I imager at the VLT. It is named HUGS (HAWK-I Ultra Deep Survey and GOODS Survey) and delivers the deepest, highest quality images ever collected in the K-band. HUGS complements the data delivered by the HST CANDELS survey over two well-studied extragalactic fields, and promises to open up exciting new opportunities to explore the highest redshift Universe. The survey is outlined and faint galaxy number counts and the search for passive galaxies in the early Universe are highlighted. The HUGS data have been completely analysed and are being made public to the worldwide community.