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Saturn seen in infrared by Cassini spacecraft - Saturn seen in infrared by Cassini spacecraft - Composite image of Saturn in false colours obtained from infrared observations collected by the Cassini probe on 24 February 2007 at a distance of 1.58 million km from the planet. Flying over the unlit side of Saturn's rings, the Cassini spacecraft captures Saturn's glow, represented in brilliant shades of electric blue, sapphire and mint green, while the planet's shadow casts a wide net on the rings. This striking false - color mosaic was created from 25 images taken by Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer over a period of 13 hours, and captures Saturn in nighttime and daytime conditions. The visual and infrared mapping spectrometer acquires data simultaneously at 352 different wavelengths, or spectral channels. Data at wavelengths of 2.3, 3.0 and 5.1 microns were combined in the blue, green and red channels of a standard color image, respectively, to make this false - color m

Saturn seen in infrared by Cassini spacecraft - Saturn seen in infrared by Cassini spacecraft - Composite image of Saturn in false colours obtained from infrared observations collected by the Cassini probe on 24 February 2007 at a distance of 1.58 million km from the planet. Flying over the unlit side of Saturn's rings, the Cassini spacecraft captures Saturn's glow, represented in brilliant shades of electric blue, sapphire and mint green, while the planet's shadow casts a wide net on the rings. This striking false - color mosaic was created from 25 images taken by Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer over a period of 13 hours, and captures Saturn in nighttime and daytime conditions. The visual and infrared mapping spectrometer acquires data simultaneously at 352 different wavelengths, or spectral channels. Data at wavelengths of 2.3, 3.0 and 5.1 microns were combined in the blue, green and red channels of a standard color image, respectively, to make this false - color m

PIX4624969

Remnants of the Supernova of Sails - Part of the Vela Supernova Remnant - Rest of the Supernova of Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago and is approximately 815 light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. About 120 centuries ago an inconspicuous star in what is now the constellation of Vela brightened by about 100 million times to rival the Moon as the brightest object in the night sky. This photograph shows a portion of the north - western quadrant of an expanding nebulous shell, which now surrounds the site of the explosion. Near the centre of the nebula (and not seen here) is the Vela pulsar, a rapidly - spinning neutron star only a few kilometres in diameter, the remnant of the star that exploded. This tiny object spins about 11 times a second and until recently was among the faintest stars ever studied at optical wavelengths, a far cry from its brief glory as one of the brightest stars ever seen

Remnants of the Supernova of Sails - Part of the Vela Supernova Remnant - Rest of the Supernova of Sails. The supernova exploded 12,000 years ago and is approximately 815 light years away from Earth. Image obtained with the 1.2m Schmidt UK Telescope from Siding Spring. About 120 centuries ago an inconspicuous star in what is now the constellation of Vela brightened by about 100 million times to rival the Moon as the brightest object in the night sky. This photograph shows a portion of the north - western quadrant of an expanding nebulous shell, which now surrounds the site of the explosion. Near the centre of the nebula (and not seen here) is the Vela pulsar, a rapidly - spinning neutron star only a few kilometres in diameter, the remnant of the star that exploded. This tiny object spins about 11 times a second and until recently was among the faintest stars ever studied at optical wavelengths, a far cry from its brief glory as one of the brightest stars ever seen

PIX4582860

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

Open Cluster of Pleiades - The Pleiades star cluster - The Pleiades cluster is a cluster of about 500 young stars nees 150 million years ago. Visible in the constellation Taurus, this cluster is 440 years from the Earth. The Pleiades are one of the finest and nearest examples of a reflection nebula associated with a cluster of young stars. The cluster itself is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth in the northern constellation of Taurus and has been recognised since ancient times. Seven of the brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and bear the names of the Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas. The nebulosity seen here is light reflected from the particles in a cloud of cold gas and dust into which the cluster has drifted. It appears blue because these tiny interstellar particles scatter blue light more efficiently than the longer wavelengths of red light and it is streaky because of the distribution of dust particles in space

PIX4568850

The Milky Way, looking towards the Galactic Centre - The Milky Way, looking towards the Galactic Centre - The bright point at the bottom left is Jupiter Planet The Milky Way is best seen on winter nights (May to August) from the southern hemisphere. This wide-angle picture shows a broad span of the southern Milky Way and is a photograph made using colour film in a conventional camera. The camera which was pointed towards the centre of our Galaxy, in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The Galactic centre itself is totally hidden at visible wavelengths by the band of dust which divides the Milky Way along much of its length. The dust lane is only visible because it blots out background stars. Embedded in the dust are many star-forming regions, seen as bright red emission nebulae. The brightest, left of the centre of the picture, is Messier 8, the Lagoon Nebula, which is visible to the unaided eye. The bright 'star' at lower left is the planet Jupiter

The Milky Way, looking towards the Galactic Centre - The Milky Way, looking towards the Galactic Centre - The bright point at the bottom left is Jupiter Planet The Milky Way is best seen on winter nights (May to August) from the southern hemisphere. This wide-angle picture shows a broad span of the southern Milky Way and is a photograph made using colour film in a conventional camera. The camera which was pointed towards the centre of our Galaxy, in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius. The Galactic centre itself is totally hidden at visible wavelengths by the band of dust which divides the Milky Way along much of its length. The dust lane is only visible because it blots out background stars. Embedded in the dust are many star-forming regions, seen as bright red emission nebulae. The brightest, left of the centre of the picture, is Messier 8, the Lagoon Nebula, which is visible to the unaided eye. The bright 'star' at lower left is the planet Jupiter

PIX4637870

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window, around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window, around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

PIX4564844

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

PIX4564866

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

P. Dumas

PIX4646089

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - This galaxy measures about 80,000 years - light and is 30 million years away - light. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope, composite of several poses. M74 is located roughly 30 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky Way. Its perfectly symmetrical spiral arms emanate from the central nucleus and are dotted with clusters of young blue stars and glowing pink regions of ionized hydrogen (hydrogen atoms that have lost their electrons). These regions of star formation show an excess of light at ultraviolet wavelengths. Tracing along the spiral arms are winding dust lanes that also begin very near the galaxy's nucleus and follow along the length of the spiral arms

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - This galaxy measures about 80,000 years - light and is 30 million years away - light. Image obtained with a 50 cm telescope, composite of several poses. M74 is located roughly 30 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky Way. Its perfectly symmetrical spiral arms emanate from the central nucleus and are dotted with clusters of young blue stars and glowing pink regions of ionized hydrogen (hydrogen atoms that have lost their electrons). These regions of star formation show an excess of light at ultraviolet wavelengths. Tracing along the spiral arms are winding dust lanes that also begin very near the galaxy's nucleus and follow along the length of the spiral arms

R. Jay GaBany

PIX4609387

Galactic Center Region - Center of our galaxy (photo)

Galactic Center Region - Center of our galaxy (photo)

PIX4637973

Galaxies UGC 1810 and UGC 1813 in Andromede - Galaxies UGC 1810 and UGC 1813 in Andromeda - These two interacting galaxies also called Arp 273 are located about 340 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Andromede. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), December 17, 2010. These galaxies also cataloged as Arp 273 lie at a distance of about 340 million light - years. Their distorted appearance is due to gravitational tides as the pair engage in close encounters. The larger of the spiral galaxies, known as UGC 1810, has a disk that is distorted into a rose - like shape by the gravitational tidal pull of the companion galaxy below it, known as UGC 1813. This image is a composite of Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 data taken on December 17, 2010, with three separate filters that allow a broad range of wavelengths covering the ultraviolet, blue, and red portions of the spectrum

Galaxies UGC 1810 and UGC 1813 in Andromede - Galaxies UGC 1810 and UGC 1813 in Andromeda - These two interacting galaxies also called Arp 273 are located about 340 million years ago - light from Earth in the constellation Andromede. Image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), December 17, 2010. These galaxies also cataloged as Arp 273 lie at a distance of about 340 million light - years. Their distorted appearance is due to gravitational tides as the pair engage in close encounters. The larger of the spiral galaxies, known as UGC 1810, has a disk that is distorted into a rose - like shape by the gravitational tidal pull of the companion galaxy below it, known as UGC 1813. This image is a composite of Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 data taken on December 17, 2010, with three separate filters that allow a broad range of wavelengths covering the ultraviolet, blue, and red portions of the spectrum

PIX4613762

Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 years - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - Globular cluster NGC 6522 in Sagittarius - This cluster of stars is located about 25,000 years - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

PIX4564845

Infrared Jupiter seen by the New Horizons probe. - Jupiter seen by New Horizons spacecraft - View of Jupiter obtained on February 28, 2007 by the New Horizons probe. This infrared image shows the different altitudes of the Jovian clouds; in blue, the high altitudes clouds, in red, the lower clouds. Jupiter seen by New Horizons spacecraft during the Jupiter flyby in early 2007. This image is an infrared color composite taken by the spacecraft's near - infrared imaging spectrometer, the Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) at 1:40 UT on Feb. 28, 2007. The infrared wavelengths used (red: 1.59 um, green: 1.94 um, blue: 1.85 um) highlight variations in the altitude of the Jovian cloud tops, with blue denoting high - altitude clouds and hazes, and red indicating deeper clouds. The prominent bluish - white oval is the Great Red Spot. The observation was made at a solar phase angle of 75 degrees but has been projected onto a crescent to remove distortion caused by Jupiter's rotation du

Infrared Jupiter seen by the New Horizons probe. - Jupiter seen by New Horizons spacecraft - View of Jupiter obtained on February 28, 2007 by the New Horizons probe. This infrared image shows the different altitudes of the Jovian clouds; in blue, the high altitudes clouds, in red, the lower clouds. Jupiter seen by New Horizons spacecraft during the Jupiter flyby in early 2007. This image is an infrared color composite taken by the spacecraft's near - infrared imaging spectrometer, the Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array (LEISA) at 1:40 UT on Feb. 28, 2007. The infrared wavelengths used (red: 1.59 um, green: 1.94 um, blue: 1.85 um) highlight variations in the altitude of the Jovian cloud tops, with blue denoting high - altitude clouds and hazes, and red indicating deeper clouds. The prominent bluish - white oval is the Great Red Spot. The observation was made at a solar phase angle of 75 degrees but has been projected onto a crescent to remove distortion caused by Jupiter's rotation du

PIX4574942

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

P. Dumas

PIX4646076

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

P. Dumas

PIX4646082

Uranus and three satellites seen by Voyager 2 - Image obtained by the Voyager 2 probe in January 1986 showing the planet Uranus accompanied by the satellites Ariel (top right), Miranda (closest to the planet) and Umbriel (bottom left). This Voyager photograph of Uranus taken in january 1986 is a composite of for images taken by the narrow angle camera. At this range, clouds and other features in the atmosphere as small as 1,370 km. could be detected by Voyager 2. Yet, no such features are visible. This view is toward the illuminated south pole of Uranus. The predominant blue color is the result of atmospheric methane, which absorbs the red wavelengths from incoming sunlight. The spot at the upper left edge of the planet's disk reulted from the removal of a network mark used in making measurments on the photograph. Three of Uranus' five known satellites are visible; Miranda (at far right, closest to the planet), Ariel (next out, at top), and Umbriel (lower left). Titania and Oberon are

Uranus and three satellites seen by Voyager 2 - Image obtained by the Voyager 2 probe in January 1986 showing the planet Uranus accompanied by the satellites Ariel (top right), Miranda (closest to the planet) and Umbriel (bottom left). This Voyager photograph of Uranus taken in january 1986 is a composite of for images taken by the narrow angle camera. At this range, clouds and other features in the atmosphere as small as 1,370 km. could be detected by Voyager 2. Yet, no such features are visible. This view is toward the illuminated south pole of Uranus. The predominant blue color is the result of atmospheric methane, which absorbs the red wavelengths from incoming sunlight. The spot at the upper left edge of the planet's disk reulted from the removal of a network mark used in making measurments on the photograph. Three of Uranus' five known satellites are visible; Miranda (at far right, closest to the planet), Ariel (next out, at top), and Umbriel (lower left). Titania and Oberon are

PIX4634712

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

Mirror of the Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft's mirror - Inspection of the mirror of the European Herschel satellite. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The gigantic telescope of ESA's space - based infrared observatory, Herschel, is being prepared to be assembled with its spacecraft. Herschel's telescope, which will carry the largest mirror ever flown in space, has been delivered to ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, where engineers and scientists are busy with the final steps that will prepare the infrared observatory for launch in 2009. ESA's Herschel Space Obser

P. Dumas

PIX4646096

Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - Composite of three different wavelengths 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using these three bands, we can know the temperature differences of the dust: the warmest are the brightest at 24 microns and the coldest shine at 160 microns. The blue/white areas contain the hottest dust. View obtained by Spitzer space telescope on 25 August 2004. The multi - wavelength view of Andromeda combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star - forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004

Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - Composite of three different wavelengths 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using these three bands, we can know the temperature differences of the dust: the warmest are the brightest at 24 microns and the coldest shine at 160 microns. The blue/white areas contain the hottest dust. View obtained by Spitzer space telescope on 25 August 2004. The multi - wavelength view of Andromeda combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star - forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004

PIX4608941

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

Globular clusters NGC 6522 and NGC 6528 in Sagittarius - Baade's Window around NGC 6522 - NGC 6522 (right) and NGC 6528 (left) are two clusters located about 25,000 years ago - light from Earth towards the center of our galaxy

PIX4564863

Nebulae of the horse's head and M42 in Orion - Horsehead and Orion nebulae - Dark Nebula of the horse's head (IC434 - B33). Further down, the large Orion nebula (M42) vast star-forming region. These nebulae are located 1500 years of light from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt telescope of Siding Spring. This wide - angle picture of the Orion region has been made to reveal the extensive network of very faint filaments which are traceable over most of the constellation. These faint features are optical evidence of a substantial dark cloud of molecular gas and dust which dominate at radio wavelengths. Where hot stars are closely associated with the molecular cloud, a bright nebula appears. By far the most conspicuous of these is the Orion Nebula, M42. This spectacular object is so bright that its light is reflected from filaments of the dark cloud some distance away. In contrast, the wisps of the Horsehead Nebula are much fainter but even here faint tendrils of nebulosity show

Nebulae of the horse's head and M42 in Orion - Horsehead and Orion nebulae - Dark Nebula of the horse's head (IC434 - B33). Further down, the large Orion nebula (M42) vast star-forming region. These nebulae are located 1500 years of light from Earth. Image obtained from the 1.2m Schmidt telescope of Siding Spring. This wide - angle picture of the Orion region has been made to reveal the extensive network of very faint filaments which are traceable over most of the constellation. These faint features are optical evidence of a substantial dark cloud of molecular gas and dust which dominate at radio wavelengths. Where hot stars are closely associated with the molecular cloud, a bright nebula appears. By far the most conspicuous of these is the Orion Nebula, M42. This spectacular object is so bright that its light is reflected from filaments of the dark cloud some distance away. In contrast, the wisps of the Horsehead Nebula are much fainter but even here faint tendrils of nebulosity show

PIX4617912

Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Mosaic of images obtained with a telescope of 35 cm, 22 hours of poses. This rich nebula complex is located near the center of the galaxy where dust is ubiquitous and often partially obscures the view at visible wavelengths. The two bright blue clouds are NGC 6589 and NGC 6590. The clouds represent scattered starlight from two imbedded young blue stars. The two bright stars are part of a loose cluster known as NGC 6595. The diffuse magenta cloud is a complex HII region which absorbs the energy from the nearby bright stars and releases it in the visible red light of excited hydrogen. The HII clouds are known as IC 1283, IC 1284 and IC 4700. This region of our galaxy is rich with dust clouds and young stars which together produce the stunning reflection nebulae we see in the image. Mosaic of images

Nebulae IC 1283 - 84 and NGC 6589 - 90 in Sagittarius - Nebulosity in Sagittarius, NGC 6589 - 90 - These nebulae are located in Sagittarius at a distance of about 5900 light years from Earth. Mosaic of images obtained with a telescope of 35 cm, 22 hours of poses. This rich nebula complex is located near the center of the galaxy where dust is ubiquitous and often partially obscures the view at visible wavelengths. The two bright blue clouds are NGC 6589 and NGC 6590. The clouds represent scattered starlight from two imbedded young blue stars. The two bright stars are part of a loose cluster known as NGC 6595. The diffuse magenta cloud is a complex HII region which absorbs the energy from the nearby bright stars and releases it in the visible red light of excited hydrogen. The HII clouds are known as IC 1283, IC 1284 and IC 4700. This region of our galaxy is rich with dust clouds and young stars which together produce the stunning reflection nebulae we see in the image. Mosaic of images

R. Gendler

PIX4619883

Remains of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus and Crab Pulsar - This picture shows a time sequence for the pulsar in the Crab nebula, shown in context against an image, also taken with the Kitt Peak 4 - meter Mayall telescope. Both the nebula and its central pulsar were created by a supernova explosion in the year 1054 A.D. The enlarged region is a mosaic of 33 time slices, ordered from top to bottom and from left to right. Each slice represents approximately one millisecond in the period of the pulsar. The brighter, primary pulse is visible in the first column: the weaker, broader inter - pulse can be seen in the second column. These data were taken with the Kitt Peak Photon Counting Array (KPCA) at the Kitt Peak 4 - meter Mayall telescope during the night of 20 October 1989, using a standard B - band optical filter, and represent a phased accumulation of almost two hours of observation. The observed period at the telescope was 33.36702 milliseconds. Due to poor weather and a long

Remains of the Crab Supernova (M1) in the Taurus and Crab Pulsar - This picture shows a time sequence for the pulsar in the Crab nebula, shown in context against an image, also taken with the Kitt Peak 4 - meter Mayall telescope. Both the nebula and its central pulsar were created by a supernova explosion in the year 1054 A.D. The enlarged region is a mosaic of 33 time slices, ordered from top to bottom and from left to right. Each slice represents approximately one millisecond in the period of the pulsar. The brighter, primary pulse is visible in the first column: the weaker, broader inter - pulse can be seen in the second column. These data were taken with the Kitt Peak Photon Counting Array (KPCA) at the Kitt Peak 4 - meter Mayall telescope during the night of 20 October 1989, using a standard B - band optical filter, and represent a phased accumulation of almost two hours of observation. The observed period at the telescope was 33.36702 milliseconds. Due to poor weather and a long

PIX4583092

Nebula NGC 6334 in the Scorpion - The 'reddened' nebulosity of NGC 6334 - The nebula NGC 6334 is located about 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebula NGC 6334 shows no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. This nebula is quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Careful measurement of the colour

Nebula NGC 6334 in the Scorpion - The 'reddened' nebulosity of NGC 6334 - The nebula NGC 6334 is located about 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebula NGC 6334 shows no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. This nebula is quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Careful measurement of the colour

PIX4619360

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

D. Ducros

PIX4646142

Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpio - Nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 in Scorpius - These nebulae are located approximately 5500 years - light from Earth. Image made with the 1.2m Telescope of Schmidt UK from Siding Spring. The star - forming nebulae NGC 6334 and NGC 6357 show no evidence of a blue component in their colour - indeed, the blue - light plate used in these 3 - colour pictures had no nebulous image at all - nor is there any obvious sign of the bright blue stars normally found in these objects. They are excellent examples of the phenomenon known as 'interstellar reddening', the selective removal of blue light by minute particles of dust in the line of sight. This accounts for both the ruddy hue and apparent absence of blue stars. The hot stars are present but only some of the red part of their light is seen so they are not conspicuous. These nebulae are quite nearby (5500 light years) but located close to the Galactic plane and are buried in the dust of the Milky Way. Ca

PIX4619350

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it will observe at wa

D. Ducros

PIX4646098

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched in 2009, studies the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems in the infrared. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) studies the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it observes at wavelengths never covered b

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched in 2009, studies the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems in the infrared. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) studies the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory is bigger and better than any of its predecessors. Moreover, it observes at wavelengths never covered b

C. Carreau

PIX4646124

Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft being prepared for acoustic tests - The European satellite Herschel prepares for acoustic tests in June 2008. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. A picture of the Herschel spacecraft being prepared for acoustic tests. On 5 and 6 June 2008, the Herschel spacecraft successfully passed its acoustic tests. During the tests, the spacecraft was subjected to acoustic noise, generated to simulate the noise levels during launch, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre's Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF). ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will observe

Herschel satellite - Herschel spacecraft being prepared for acoustic tests - The European satellite Herschel prepares for acoustic tests in June 2008. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. A picture of the Herschel spacecraft being prepared for acoustic tests. On 5 and 6 June 2008, the Herschel spacecraft successfully passed its acoustic tests. During the tests, the spacecraft was subjected to acoustic noise, generated to simulate the noise levels during launch, at the European Space Research and Technology Centre's Large European Acoustic Facility (LEAF). ESA's Herschel Space Observatory will observe

A. Le Floch

PIX4646080

Galaxies clusters Abell 370 - Abell 370 cluster of galaxies with gravitational arcs - This cluster of galaxies is located about 5 billion years away from Earth. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 16, 2009 shows gravitational arcs among galaxies. These mirages are deformed images of farther galaxies located behind the cluster. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's newly repaired Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) has peered across almost five billion light - years to resolve intricate details in the galaxy cluster Abell 370. Abell 370 is one of the very first galaxy clusters where astronomers observed the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, the warping of space - time by the cluster's gravitational field that distorts the light from galaxies lying far behind it. This is manifested as arcs and streaks in the picture, which are the stretched images of background galaxies. Gravitational lensing is a vital tool for astronomers when measuring the dark matter distributi

Galaxies clusters Abell 370 - Abell 370 cluster of galaxies with gravitational arcs - This cluster of galaxies is located about 5 billion years away from Earth. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 16, 2009 shows gravitational arcs among galaxies. These mirages are deformed images of farther galaxies located behind the cluster. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's newly repaired Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) has peered across almost five billion light - years to resolve intricate details in the galaxy cluster Abell 370. Abell 370 is one of the very first galaxy clusters where astronomers observed the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, the warping of space - time by the cluster's gravitational field that distorts the light from galaxies lying far behind it. This is manifested as arcs and streaks in the picture, which are the stretched images of background galaxies. Gravitational lensing is a vital tool for astronomers when measuring the dark matter distributi

PIX4565651

Pluto and Charon satellite seen by the New Horizons probe on July 14, 2015 at 250,000 km from the dwarf planet

Pluto and Charon satellite seen by the New Horizons probe on July 14, 2015 at 250,000 km from the dwarf planet

PIX4624378

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observa

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observa

D. Ducros

PIX4646125

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 stage with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 stage with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory

D. Ducros

PIX4646153

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observato

Satellite Herschel - Illustration - Ariane 5 fairing with satellite Herschel. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel during its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket. The Herschel Space Observatory, launched on 14 May 2009, is studying in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel is in orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Objects such as other planetary systems, or processes like the birth of galaxies in the early universe, can best be studied with infrared space telescopes in space. This is the reason for Esa's Herschel. ESA's Herschel Space Observato

D. Ducros

PIX4646169

Planetary nebula M 27 (NGC 6853) in the little fox - This excellent image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, was taken at the 3.5 - meter WIYN telescope using the mini - mosaic imager. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. This makes the nebula emit mostly a strong emission - line spectrum. This color image was obtained by combining three separate pictures, each one taken through a narrow filter centered at the emission wavelengths of Hydrogen (H alpha, red, 656 nm), doubly ionized Oxygen (OII, green, 501 nm), and neutral Oxygen (OI, blue, 630 nm). It is physically very interesting that neutral gas can survive in a region right next to highly ionized gas, and this image shows

Planetary nebula M 27 (NGC 6853) in the little fox - This excellent image of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853), a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, was taken at the 3.5 - meter WIYN telescope using the mini - mosaic imager. The nebula was formed when an evolved, red giant star ejected its outer envelope near the end of its lifetime. The expanding cloud of gas becomes visible once the hot core of the star, visible near the center, is exposed and the high - energy, ultraviolet light from the core ionizes the cloud. This makes the nebula emit mostly a strong emission - line spectrum. This color image was obtained by combining three separate pictures, each one taken through a narrow filter centered at the emission wavelengths of Hydrogen (H alpha, red, 656 nm), doubly ionized Oxygen (OII, green, 501 nm), and neutral Oxygen (OI, blue, 630 nm). It is physically very interesting that neutral gas can survive in a region right next to highly ionized gas, and this image shows

PIX4623419

Saturn in false colours - Saturn in infrared - The planet Saturn seen in visible and infrared by the Cassini probe on November 1, 2008. This false - color composite image, constructed from data obtained by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft, shows Saturn's rings and southern hemisphere. The composite image was made from 65 individual observations by Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer in the near - infrared portion of the light spectrum on Nov. 1, 2008. The observations were each six minutes long. In this image constructed from data collected in the near - infrared wavelengths of light, scientists designated blue to indicate sunlight reflected at a wavelength of 2 microns, green to indicate sunlight reflected at 3 microns and red to indicate thermal emission at 5 microns. Saturn's rings reflect sunlight at 2 microns, but not at 3 and 5 microns, so they appear deep blue. Saturn's high altitude haze reflects sunlight at both 2 and 3 microns, but not at 5 microns, and so it appears

Saturn in false colours - Saturn in infrared - The planet Saturn seen in visible and infrared by the Cassini probe on November 1, 2008. This false - color composite image, constructed from data obtained by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft, shows Saturn's rings and southern hemisphere. The composite image was made from 65 individual observations by Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer in the near - infrared portion of the light spectrum on Nov. 1, 2008. The observations were each six minutes long. In this image constructed from data collected in the near - infrared wavelengths of light, scientists designated blue to indicate sunlight reflected at a wavelength of 2 microns, green to indicate sunlight reflected at 3 microns and red to indicate thermal emission at 5 microns. Saturn's rings reflect sunlight at 2 microns, but not at 3 and 5 microns, so they appear deep blue. Saturn's high altitude haze reflects sunlight at both 2 and 3 microns, but not at 5 microns, and so it appears

PIX4625231

Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) x-ray view - radio - visible - Galaxy Centaurus A in different wavelengths - false-coloured view of the 30,000-year long jet - light escaping from the nucleus of the Centaurus A galaxy where a massive black hole is suspected. On this composite image obtained in X, radio, and visible, two large X-emission arcs surround this jet over a diameter of 25,000 years - light. These hot arcs could be the result of a gigantic explosion that occurred 10 million years ago in the nucleus of the galaxy. The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth. A composite X - ray (blue), radio (pink and green), and optical (orange and yellow) image of the galaxy Centaurus A presents a stunning view of a galaxy in turmoil. A broad band of dust and cold gas is bisected at an angle by opposing jets of high - energy particles blasting away from the supermassive black hole in the nucleus. Two large arcs of X - ray emitting hot gas were discovered in the out

Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) x-ray view - radio - visible - Galaxy Centaurus A in different wavelengths - false-coloured view of the 30,000-year long jet - light escaping from the nucleus of the Centaurus A galaxy where a massive black hole is suspected. On this composite image obtained in X, radio, and visible, two large X-emission arcs surround this jet over a diameter of 25,000 years - light. These hot arcs could be the result of a gigantic explosion that occurred 10 million years ago in the nucleus of the galaxy. The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million light years away from Earth. A composite X - ray (blue), radio (pink and green), and optical (orange and yellow) image of the galaxy Centaurus A presents a stunning view of a galaxy in turmoil. A broad band of dust and cold gas is bisected at an angle by opposing jets of high - energy particles blasting away from the supermassive black hole in the nucleus. Two large arcs of X - ray emitting hot gas were discovered in the out

PIX4612202

Globular cluster G1 (Mayall II) - Globular cluster G1 (Mayall II) - The G1 globular cluster is the brightest globular cluster in the group of about thirty galaxies known as the Local Group (including the Lactee Way). It is orbiting the Andromede galaxy and contains at least 300,000 stars. This image is a composite of visible and near infrared images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 1994. Hubble Space Telescope has captured a view of a globular cluster called G1, a large, bright ball of light in the center of the photograph consisting of at least 300,000 old stars. G1, also known as Mayall II, orbits the Andromeda galaxy (M31), the nearest major spiral galaxy to our Milky Way. Located 130,000 light - years from Andromeda's nucleus, G1 is the brightest globular cluster in the Local Group of galaxies. The Local Group consists of about 20 nearby galaxies, including the Milky Way. A glimpse into the cluster's finer details allow astronomers to see its fainter helium - burning

Globular cluster G1 (Mayall II) - Globular cluster G1 (Mayall II) - The G1 globular cluster is the brightest globular cluster in the group of about thirty galaxies known as the Local Group (including the Lactee Way). It is orbiting the Andromede galaxy and contains at least 300,000 stars. This image is a composite of visible and near infrared images obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 1994. Hubble Space Telescope has captured a view of a globular cluster called G1, a large, bright ball of light in the center of the photograph consisting of at least 300,000 old stars. G1, also known as Mayall II, orbits the Andromeda galaxy (M31), the nearest major spiral galaxy to our Milky Way. Located 130,000 light - years from Andromeda's nucleus, G1 is the brightest globular cluster in the Local Group of galaxies. The Local Group consists of about 20 nearby galaxies, including the Milky Way. A glimpse into the cluster's finer details allow astronomers to see its fainter helium - burning

PIX4565191

Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Part of the lactee route in the constellation of the Southern Cross seen in infrared by the Herschel space telescope. The hottest dust appears in blue, the coldest ones appear in red, the new stars will be born. Composite images obtained by SPIRE and PACS instruments on September 3, 2009. Some of the coldest and darkest dust in space shines brightly in this infrared image from the Herschel Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important participation from NASA. The image is a composite of light captured simultaneously by two of Herschel's three instruments - - the photodetector array camera and spectrometer, and its spectral and photometric imaging receiver. The image reveals a cold and turbulent region where material is just beginning to condense into new stars. It is located in the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, 60 degrees from the center. Blue shows warmer material, red the coolest. The red fil

Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Star Formation in the Southern Cross - Part of the lactee route in the constellation of the Southern Cross seen in infrared by the Herschel space telescope. The hottest dust appears in blue, the coldest ones appear in red, the new stars will be born. Composite images obtained by SPIRE and PACS instruments on September 3, 2009. Some of the coldest and darkest dust in space shines brightly in this infrared image from the Herschel Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important participation from NASA. The image is a composite of light captured simultaneously by two of Herschel's three instruments - - the photodetector array camera and spectrometer, and its spectral and photometric imaging receiver. The image reveals a cold and turbulent region where material is just beginning to condense into new stars. It is located in the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, 60 degrees from the center. Blue shows warmer material, red the coolest. The red fil

PIX4621141

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

PIX4646048

Archean stromatolites - Illustration showing the shores of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago. In the foreground, stromatolites, aggregation of sediments and cyanobacteries. Stromatoliths have undoubtedly contributed to our dioxygen-rich atmosphere and the ozone layer that allowed the development of a more complex terrestrial and oceanic life. Dome - shaped stromatolites, averaging three feet high and four feet wide, populate the shallow shore of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago. The Moon looms near the horizon, much closer to the Earth than it is now and therefore appearing considerably larger, but otherwise looking much like the moon we know today. 3 billion years ago the first macro evidence of life on Earth may have appeared in the form of large aggregations of microorganisms and associated sediments known as stromatolites. Cyanobacteria (AKA blue - green algae) were likely one of the primary contributors to these aggregations. During the Archean Eon the Earth's atmosphere contai

Archean stromatolites - Illustration showing the shores of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago. In the foreground, stromatolites, aggregation of sediments and cyanobacteries. Stromatoliths have undoubtedly contributed to our dioxygen-rich atmosphere and the ozone layer that allowed the development of a more complex terrestrial and oceanic life. Dome - shaped stromatolites, averaging three feet high and four feet wide, populate the shallow shore of an ancient sea 3 billion years ago. The Moon looms near the horizon, much closer to the Earth than it is now and therefore appearing considerably larger, but otherwise looking much like the moon we know today. 3 billion years ago the first macro evidence of life on Earth may have appeared in the form of large aggregations of microorganisms and associated sediments known as stromatolites. Cyanobacteria (AKA blue - green algae) were likely one of the primary contributors to these aggregations. During the Archean Eon the Earth's atmosphere contai

Walter B Myers

PIX4632751

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. This image obtained by the Kueyen telescope of the VLT in Chile on 1 February 2000 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. Centaurus A is one of the foremost examples of a radio - loud active galactic nucleus (AGN). On images obtained at optical wavelengths, thick dust layers almost completely obscure the galaxy's centre. Until 1949, NGC 5128 was thought to be a strange object in the Milky Way, but it was then identified as a powerful radio galaxy and designated Centaurus A. The distance is about 10 - 13 million light - years (3 - 4 Mpc) and the apparent visual magnitude is about 8, or 5 times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. There is strong evidence th

Centaurus A elliptical galaxy (NGC 5128) in the Centaurus - Galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - The galaxy NGC 5128 is located about 13 million years away from Earth. This Giant Galaxy is a powerful radio source known as Centaurus A. It is an active galaxy whose energy comes from a supermassive black hole. This image obtained by the Kueyen telescope of the VLT in Chile on 1 February 2000 shows the star flames that occur in the dark band of the galaxy. Centaurus A is one of the foremost examples of a radio - loud active galactic nucleus (AGN). On images obtained at optical wavelengths, thick dust layers almost completely obscure the galaxy's centre. Until 1949, NGC 5128 was thought to be a strange object in the Milky Way, but it was then identified as a powerful radio galaxy and designated Centaurus A. The distance is about 10 - 13 million light - years (3 - 4 Mpc) and the apparent visual magnitude is about 8, or 5 times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. There is strong evidence th

PIX4612179

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Image of the spiral galaxy M74 (NGC 628) obtained by the Hubble space telescope in 2003 and 2005. This galaxy is about 80,000 light years and is approximately 30 million light years apart. This image shows in detail the arms of this galaxy or nebulae and clusters of young stars appear in numbers. NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of the nearby spiral galaxy M74 (NGC 628), is a composite of Advanced Camera for Surveys' data taken in 2003 and 2005. A small segment of this image used data from the Canada - France - Hawaii Telescope and the Gemini Observatory to fill in a region that Hubble did not image. M74 is located roughly 32 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky W

Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Spiral galaxy M74 in Pisces - Image of the spiral galaxy M74 (NGC 628) obtained by the Hubble space telescope in 2003 and 2005. This galaxy is about 80,000 light years and is approximately 30 million light years apart. This image shows in detail the arms of this galaxy or nebulae and clusters of young stars appear in numbers. NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of the nearby spiral galaxy M74 (NGC 628), is a composite of Advanced Camera for Surveys' data taken in 2003 and 2005. A small segment of this image used data from the Canada - France - Hawaii Telescope and the Gemini Observatory to fill in a region that Hubble did not image. M74 is located roughly 32 million light - years away in the direction of the constellation Pisces, the Fish. It is the dominant member of a small group of about half a dozen galaxies, the M74 galaxy group. In its entirety, it is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars, making it slightly smaller than our Milky W

PIX4609405

Nebula IC 1396 in Cephee infrared view - 18/12/2003 The large composite image on the left is a product of combining data from the observator's multiband imaging photometer and the infrared array camera. The thermal emission at 24 microns measured by the photometer (red) is combined with near - infrared emission from the camera at 3.6/4.5 microns (blue) and from 5.8/8.0 microns (green). The colors of the diffuse emission and filaments vary, and are a combination of molecular hydrogen (which tends to be green) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (brown) emissions. Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope image of a glowing stellar nursery provides a spectacular contrast to the opaque cloud seen in visible light. The Elephant's Trunk Nebula is an elongated dark globule within the emission nebula IC 1396 in the constellation of Cepheus. Located at a distance of 2,450 light - years, the globule is a condensation of dense gas that is barely surviving the strong ionizing radiation from a nearby massive

Nebula IC 1396 in Cephee infrared view - 18/12/2003 The large composite image on the left is a product of combining data from the observator's multiband imaging photometer and the infrared array camera. The thermal emission at 24 microns measured by the photometer (red) is combined with near - infrared emission from the camera at 3.6/4.5 microns (blue) and from 5.8/8.0 microns (green). The colors of the diffuse emission and filaments vary, and are a combination of molecular hydrogen (which tends to be green) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (brown) emissions. Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope image of a glowing stellar nursery provides a spectacular contrast to the opaque cloud seen in visible light. The Elephant's Trunk Nebula is an elongated dark globule within the emission nebula IC 1396 in the constellation of Cepheus. Located at a distance of 2,450 light - years, the globule is a condensation of dense gas that is barely surviving the strong ionizing radiation from a nearby massive

PIX4622272

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - The galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy) is located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. These images made by the Hubble space telescope on 20 January 1996 show in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies (right) as well as clusters of blue stars, consisting of young and massive stars (left). The scale bar at the top of each image represents 1500 years - light. These four close - up views are taken from a head - on collision between two spiral galaxies, called the Antennae galaxies, seen at image center. The scale bar at the top of each image is 1,500 light - years across. Left: the collision triggers the birth of new stars in brilliant blue star clusters, the brightest of which contains roughly a million stars. The star clusters are blue because they are very young, the youngest b

Interacting galaxies NGC 4038 - 4039 in the Raven - The Antennae galaxy in Corvus - The galaxy NGC 4038 - 39 (antenna galaxy) is located about 45 million years ago - light. These two galaxies are interacting. The collision started at least 100 million years ago causes intense star formation. These images made by the Hubble space telescope on 20 January 1996 show in detail the nuclei of these two twin galaxies (right) as well as clusters of blue stars, consisting of young and massive stars (left). The scale bar at the top of each image represents 1500 years - light. These four close - up views are taken from a head - on collision between two spiral galaxies, called the Antennae galaxies, seen at image center. The scale bar at the top of each image is 1,500 light - years across. Left: the collision triggers the birth of new stars in brilliant blue star clusters, the brightest of which contains roughly a million stars. The star clusters are blue because they are very young, the youngest b

PIX4611053

Map of Fossil Radiation Seen by Planck - The cosmic microwave background as seen by Planck - The European Space Agency's Planck space telescope is the source of the data on the most detailed map ever drawn of the Cosmological Hyperrequency background radiation - the fossil radiation of the Big Bang. This image is based on data from the first 15 months of Planck operation. It is the first image of this mission that shows on the whole sky the oldest emission of light that bathed our young Universe when it was only 380,000 years old. The Universe was then filled with a burning magma of protons, electrons, and photons intertwining at about 2700oC. The interaction between protons and electrons that gave rise to the hydrogen atoms then released light. As a result of the expansion of the Universe, this light has been extended until today reaches hyperfrequency wavelengths equivalent to a temperature of just 2.7 degrees above the absolute zero. This hyperfrequency cosmological background radia

Map of Fossil Radiation Seen by Planck - The cosmic microwave background as seen by Planck - The European Space Agency's Planck space telescope is the source of the data on the most detailed map ever drawn of the Cosmological Hyperrequency background radiation - the fossil radiation of the Big Bang. This image is based on data from the first 15 months of Planck operation. It is the first image of this mission that shows on the whole sky the oldest emission of light that bathed our young Universe when it was only 380,000 years old. The Universe was then filled with a burning magma of protons, electrons, and photons intertwining at about 2700oC. The interaction between protons and electrons that gave rise to the hydrogen atoms then released light. As a result of the expansion of the Universe, this light has been extended until today reaches hyperfrequency wavelengths equivalent to a temperature of just 2.7 degrees above the absolute zero. This hyperfrequency cosmological background radia

PIX4634328

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is 54 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. This image is a composite obtained in X-rays, radio and visible. Gas material is ejected from the heart of the galaxy. A supermassive black hole would have caused this jet. This image is a composite of visible (or optical), radio, and X - ray data of the giant elliptical galaxy, M87. M87 lies at a distance of 54 million light years and is the largest galaxy in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Bright jets moving at close to the speed of light are seen at all wavelengths coming from the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy. It has also been identified with the strong radio source, Virgo A, and is a powerful source of X - rays as it resides near the center of a hot, X - ray emitting cloud that extends over much of the Virgo cluster. The extended radio emission consists of plumes of fast - moving gas from the j

M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo - The M87 galaxy (NGC 4486) is 54 million years ago - light from Earth, in the heart of the Virgin's cluster. This image is a composite obtained in X-rays, radio and visible. Gas material is ejected from the heart of the galaxy. A supermassive black hole would have caused this jet. This image is a composite of visible (or optical), radio, and X - ray data of the giant elliptical galaxy, M87. M87 lies at a distance of 54 million light years and is the largest galaxy in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Bright jets moving at close to the speed of light are seen at all wavelengths coming from the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy. It has also been identified with the strong radio source, Virgo A, and is a powerful source of X - rays as it resides near the center of a hot, X - ray emitting cloud that extends over much of the Virgo cluster. The extended radio emission consists of plumes of fast - moving gas from the j

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Hubble deep field sud - Hubble deep field south - In the southern constellation of Toucan, the Hubble space telescope posed 75h to obtain this image of the distant universe. Thousands of galaxies away from 1 to 12 billion light years are visible in this image. From Earth, the target field is the one “” that one would see through the eye of a needle held at arm's length.” If the distribution of galaxies over the entire Celestial vault were similar to this field, the number of galaxies observable up to magnitude 30 would be 50 billion. This picture is the culmination of a 10 - day - long observation called the Hubble Deep Field South which was carried out in October 1998. This new “” far - look”” complements the original Hubble “” deep field””” taken in late 1995, when Hubble was aimed at a small patch of space near the Big Dipper. The new region is in the constellation Tucana, near the south celestial pole. Hubble's sharp vision allows astronomers to sort galaxy shapes. The image is dom

Hubble deep field sud - Hubble deep field south - In the southern constellation of Toucan, the Hubble space telescope posed 75h to obtain this image of the distant universe. Thousands of galaxies away from 1 to 12 billion light years are visible in this image. From Earth, the target field is the one “” that one would see through the eye of a needle held at arm's length.” If the distribution of galaxies over the entire Celestial vault were similar to this field, the number of galaxies observable up to magnitude 30 would be 50 billion. This picture is the culmination of a 10 - day - long observation called the Hubble Deep Field South which was carried out in October 1998. This new “” far - look”” complements the original Hubble “” deep field””” taken in late 1995, when Hubble was aimed at a small patch of space near the Big Dipper. The new region is in the constellation Tucana, near the south celestial pole. Hubble's sharp vision allows astronomers to sort galaxy shapes. The image is dom

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Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

Herschel Satellite - Illustration - Herschel Satellite. Artwork - Artist's view of the European satellite Herschel. The Herschel Space Observatory, scheduled to launch in 2009, will study in the infrared the formation of galaxies, stars and planetary systems. This satellite measures nearly 7 metres high by 4.3 metres wide and weighs 3.25 tonnes. Its telescope has a 3.5-meter mirror, making it the largest mirror ever made for a scientific space mission. Herschel will orbit around Lagrange 2, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. ESA's Herschel Space Observatory (formerly called Far Infrared and Submillimetre Telescope or FIRST) will solve the mystery of how stars and galaxies were born. Infrared astronomy is as young as it is fruitful. In less than three decades infrared astronomers have unveiled tens of thousands of new galaxies, and have made discoveries as surprising as the huge amounts of water vapour that fill the galaxy. Yet scientists know there is still much more to d

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Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - This image shows the difference in infrared radiation between the light emitted by the aged stars (blue) and that emitted by the dust (star-forming zone, red). By measuring the infrared radiation emitted by a galaxy, more or less important depending on the nature of the stars, the mass of that galaxy can be reduced. According to this method, the mass of stars in the Andromede galaxy would be 110 billion times that of the Sun, which means that this galaxy would have 1 trillion stars (our galaxy had 400 billion). In this image we distinguish the two satellite galaxies of Andromede, M32 at the bottom and NGC 205 (M110) at the top. Infrared composite at the following wavelengths: 3.6 and 4.5 microns: sensitive to star light (blue and green), and 8 micron sensitive to dust in red. 3000 different poses obtained by the Spitzer space telescope in January and August 2005 were required to achieve this complete view o

Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - Infrared view of the Andromeda galaxy - This image shows the difference in infrared radiation between the light emitted by the aged stars (blue) and that emitted by the dust (star-forming zone, red). By measuring the infrared radiation emitted by a galaxy, more or less important depending on the nature of the stars, the mass of that galaxy can be reduced. According to this method, the mass of stars in the Andromede galaxy would be 110 billion times that of the Sun, which means that this galaxy would have 1 trillion stars (our galaxy had 400 billion). In this image we distinguish the two satellite galaxies of Andromede, M32 at the bottom and NGC 205 (M110) at the top. Infrared composite at the following wavelengths: 3.6 and 4.5 microns: sensitive to star light (blue and green), and 8 micron sensitive to dust in red. 3000 different poses obtained by the Spitzer space telescope in January and August 2005 were required to achieve this complete view o

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Tethys, Saturn satellite, seen by the Cassini probe - Saturn's moon Tethys seen by Cassini spacecraft: The Tethys satellite photographed by the Cassini probe on 11 April 2015 has a distance of 53,000 km from the satellite. Tethys is about 1070 km in diameter. - This enhancement-color mosaic of Saturn's icy moon Tethys shows a range of features on the moon's trailing hemisphere. Tethys is tidally locked to Saturn, so the trailing hemisphere is the side of the moon that always faces opposite its direction of motion as it orbits the planet - Images taken using clear, green, infrared and ultraviolet spectral filters were combined to create the view, which highlights subtle color differences across Tethys' surface at wavelengths not visible to human eyes. The moon's surface is fairly uniform in natural color - The color of the surface changes conspicuously across the disk, from yellowish hues to nearly white. These broad color changes are affected by a number of external processes. First, S

Tethys, Saturn satellite, seen by the Cassini probe - Saturn's moon Tethys seen by Cassini spacecraft: The Tethys satellite photographed by the Cassini probe on 11 April 2015 has a distance of 53,000 km from the satellite. Tethys is about 1070 km in diameter. - This enhancement-color mosaic of Saturn's icy moon Tethys shows a range of features on the moon's trailing hemisphere. Tethys is tidally locked to Saturn, so the trailing hemisphere is the side of the moon that always faces opposite its direction of motion as it orbits the planet - Images taken using clear, green, infrared and ultraviolet spectral filters were combined to create the view, which highlights subtle color differences across Tethys' surface at wavelengths not visible to human eyes. The moon's surface is fairly uniform in natural color - The color of the surface changes conspicuously across the disk, from yellowish hues to nearly white. These broad color changes are affected by a number of external processes. First, S

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Nebula NGC 6726 - 27 - 29 in the Southern Crown - The Corona Australis nebula (NGC 6726 - 27 - 29) Image of R Coronae Australis region in the southern Milky Way, obtained with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) (camera) at the 2.2 - m MPG/ESO Telescope on La Silla (Chile). The sky field shown measures approx. 33.7 x 31.9 arcmin2 (about the diameter of the full moon). The R Coronae Australis complex of young stars and interstellar gas clouds is one of the nearest star - forming regions, at a distance of approx. 500 light - years from the Sun. It is seen in the southern constellation of that name (The “Southern Crown”). R Coronae Australis, the bright star from which the entire complex is named, is located at the center of the field and illuminates the reddish nebula around it. The bright star in the lower part, illuminating a somewhat bluer nebula, is known as TY Coronae Australis. The brightness of these two stars and several others in the same field is variable. They belong to the so - calle

Nebula NGC 6726 - 27 - 29 in the Southern Crown - The Corona Australis nebula (NGC 6726 - 27 - 29) Image of R Coronae Australis region in the southern Milky Way, obtained with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) (camera) at the 2.2 - m MPG/ESO Telescope on La Silla (Chile). The sky field shown measures approx. 33.7 x 31.9 arcmin2 (about the diameter of the full moon). The R Coronae Australis complex of young stars and interstellar gas clouds is one of the nearest star - forming regions, at a distance of approx. 500 light - years from the Sun. It is seen in the southern constellation of that name (The “Southern Crown”). R Coronae Australis, the bright star from which the entire complex is named, is located at the center of the field and illuminates the reddish nebula around it. The bright star in the lower part, illuminating a somewhat bluer nebula, is known as TY Coronae Australis. The brightness of these two stars and several others in the same field is variable. They belong to the so - calle

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Tyndall Glacier, Chile - Tyndall Glacier, Chile - The Tyndall Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, observed from the International Space Station in November 2007. Tyndall Glacier is located in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. This glacier, which has a total area of 331 square kilometers and a length of 32 kilometers (based on 1996 measurements), begins in the Patagonian Andes Mountains to the west and terminates in Lago Geikie. The digital astronaut photograph taken in november 2007 records visible light in red, green, and blue wavelengths (true color). The Tyndall Glacier terminus has retreated significantly during the past 17 years. Significant ice loss was also observed earlier this year at Grey Glacier, about 30 kilometers to the north - northeast, suggesting both glaciers are responding similarly to regional changes in temperature and precipitation. A medial moraine is visible in the center of the glacier, extending along its length (top image, center le

Tyndall Glacier, Chile - Tyndall Glacier, Chile - The Tyndall Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, observed from the International Space Station in November 2007. Tyndall Glacier is located in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. This glacier, which has a total area of 331 square kilometers and a length of 32 kilometers (based on 1996 measurements), begins in the Patagonian Andes Mountains to the west and terminates in Lago Geikie. The digital astronaut photograph taken in november 2007 records visible light in red, green, and blue wavelengths (true color). The Tyndall Glacier terminus has retreated significantly during the past 17 years. Significant ice loss was also observed earlier this year at Grey Glacier, about 30 kilometers to the north - northeast, suggesting both glaciers are responding similarly to regional changes in temperature and precipitation. A medial moraine is visible in the center of the glacier, extending along its length (top image, center le

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Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the nebula of the Carene seen in visible light (top) and infrared (bottom) by the Hubble space telescope. The top image shows a column of gas and dust eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of a nascent star. In the infrared image, the dust clouds radiate little, the nascent star responsible for these jets appears. NGC 3372 is located about 7000 light years away from Earth. Images obtained in July 2009. The pictures demonstrate one example of the broad wavelength range of the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) aboard the Hubble telescope, extending from ultraviolet to visible to infrared light. Composed of gas and dust, the pillar resides in a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7500 light - years away in the southern constellation of Carina. The pair of images shows that astronomers are given a much more complete vie

Birth of stars in the nebula NGC 3372 - Star formation in the Carina Nebula - Detail of the nebula of the Carene seen in visible light (top) and infrared (bottom) by the Hubble space telescope. The top image shows a column of gas and dust eroded by ultraviolet radiation emitted by young stars. Jets are also visible, showing the presence of a nascent star. In the infrared image, the dust clouds radiate little, the nascent star responsible for these jets appears. NGC 3372 is located about 7000 light years away from Earth. Images obtained in July 2009. The pictures demonstrate one example of the broad wavelength range of the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) aboard the Hubble telescope, extending from ultraviolet to visible to infrared light. Composed of gas and dust, the pillar resides in a tempestuous stellar nursery called the Carina Nebula, located 7500 light - years away in the southern constellation of Carina. The pair of images shows that astronomers are given a much more complete vie

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Panorama of galactic center seen in infrared

Panorama of galactic center seen in infrared

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The Omega nebula (M17) seen in infrared - M17 nebula in infrared - The Omega nebula (M17) seen in infrared by the Spitzer space telescope. M17 is a star-forming region about 6000 light years ago in the constellation Sagittarius. In the center of the nebula is a group of massive stars. The dust appears in red, the hot gas in green, the regions or this gas and the dust mixes in white. Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured an infrared view of the star - making cloud called M17, or the Swan nebula. The cloud, located about 6,000 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius, is dominated by a central group of massive stars - - the most massive stars in the region. These central stars give off intense flows of expanding gas, which rush like rivers against dense piles of material, carving out the deep pocket at center of the picture. Winds from the region's other massive stars push back against these oncoming rivers, creating bow shocks like those that pile up in front of speedin

The Omega nebula (M17) seen in infrared - M17 nebula in infrared - The Omega nebula (M17) seen in infrared by the Spitzer space telescope. M17 is a star-forming region about 6000 light years ago in the constellation Sagittarius. In the center of the nebula is a group of massive stars. The dust appears in red, the hot gas in green, the regions or this gas and the dust mixes in white. Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured an infrared view of the star - making cloud called M17, or the Swan nebula. The cloud, located about 6,000 light - years away in the constellation Sagittarius, is dominated by a central group of massive stars - - the most massive stars in the region. These central stars give off intense flows of expanding gas, which rush like rivers against dense piles of material, carving out the deep pocket at center of the picture. Winds from the region's other massive stars push back against these oncoming rivers, creating bow shocks like those that pile up in front of speedin

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Stars in the globular cluster Omega Centauri - Omega Centauri seen by Hubble space telescope - Located 16,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centauri contains several million stars and is one of the most ancient objects in our galaxy. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2009 shows only a small part of this cluster, where 100,000 stars are visible. Hubble Space Telescope snapped this panoramic view of a colorful assortment of 100,000 stars residing in the crowded core of a giant star cluster. The image reveals a small region inside the massive globular cluster Omega Centauri, which boasts nearly 10 million stars. The stars in Omega Centauri are between 10 billion and 12 billion years old. The cluster lies about 16,000 light - years from Earth. This is one of the first images taken by the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), installed aboard Hubble in May 2009, during Servicing Mission 4. The majority of the stars in the imag

Stars in the globular cluster Omega Centauri - Omega Centauri seen by Hubble space telescope - Located 16,000 years ago - light from Earth in the southern constellation of Centaur, Omega Centauri contains several million stars and is one of the most ancient objects in our galaxy. This image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope in July 2009 shows only a small part of this cluster, where 100,000 stars are visible. Hubble Space Telescope snapped this panoramic view of a colorful assortment of 100,000 stars residing in the crowded core of a giant star cluster. The image reveals a small region inside the massive globular cluster Omega Centauri, which boasts nearly 10 million stars. The stars in Omega Centauri are between 10 billion and 12 billion years old. The cluster lies about 16,000 light - years from Earth. This is one of the first images taken by the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), installed aboard Hubble in May 2009, during Servicing Mission 4. The majority of the stars in the imag

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Jupiter and Io seen by the New Horizons probe

Jupiter and Io seen by the New Horizons probe

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Enceladus, Saturn's satellite, seen by the Cassini probe - Saturn's moon Enceladus seen by Cassini spacecraft - Mosaic of false-coloured images obtained by the Cassini probe during the flight over this satellite on 5 October 2008. The image shows a fractured region in the southern hemisphere of the satellite. On Oct. 5, 2008, just after coming within 25 kilometers (15.6 miles) of the surface of Enceladus, Nasa's Cassini captured this stunning mosaic as the spacecraft sped away from this geologically active moon of Saturn. Craters and cratered terrains are rare in this view of the southern region of the moon's Saturn - facing hemisphere. Instead, the surface is replete with fractures, folds, and ridges - - all hallmarks of remarkable tectonic activity for a relatively small world. In this enhanced - color view, regions that appear blue - green are thought to be coated with larger grains than those that appear white or gray. Portions of the tiger stripe fractures, or sulci, are visible a

Enceladus, Saturn's satellite, seen by the Cassini probe - Saturn's moon Enceladus seen by Cassini spacecraft - Mosaic of false-coloured images obtained by the Cassini probe during the flight over this satellite on 5 October 2008. The image shows a fractured region in the southern hemisphere of the satellite. On Oct. 5, 2008, just after coming within 25 kilometers (15.6 miles) of the surface of Enceladus, Nasa's Cassini captured this stunning mosaic as the spacecraft sped away from this geologically active moon of Saturn. Craters and cratered terrains are rare in this view of the southern region of the moon's Saturn - facing hemisphere. Instead, the surface is replete with fractures, folds, and ridges - - all hallmarks of remarkable tectonic activity for a relatively small world. In this enhanced - color view, regions that appear blue - green are thought to be coated with larger grains than those that appear white or gray. Portions of the tiger stripe fractures, or sulci, are visible a

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Star Formation in the DR21 Region - Star Formation in the DR21 Region - This star-forming region is about 6200 years old - light. Hidden in light visible by interstellar dust, this region rises in infrared light. Gas filaments appear in red; they emphasize the presence of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH); they are organic molecules composed of carbon atoms and hydrogen that could be the germs on which the first bricks of life appeared. Image obtained by the Spitzer space telescope in 2003. Hidden behind a shroud of dust in the constellation Cygnus is a stellar nursery called DR21, which is giving birth to some of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Visible light images reveal no trace of this interstellar cauldron because of heavy dust obscuration. This image from Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope allow us to peek behind the cosmic veil and pinpoint one of the most massive natal stars yet seen in our Milky Way galaxy. The never - before - seen star is 100,000 times as bright as th

Star Formation in the DR21 Region - Star Formation in the DR21 Region - This star-forming region is about 6200 years old - light. Hidden in light visible by interstellar dust, this region rises in infrared light. Gas filaments appear in red; they emphasize the presence of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH); they are organic molecules composed of carbon atoms and hydrogen that could be the germs on which the first bricks of life appeared. Image obtained by the Spitzer space telescope in 2003. Hidden behind a shroud of dust in the constellation Cygnus is a stellar nursery called DR21, which is giving birth to some of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Visible light images reveal no trace of this interstellar cauldron because of heavy dust obscuration. This image from Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope allow us to peek behind the cosmic veil and pinpoint one of the most massive natal stars yet seen in our Milky Way galaxy. The never - before - seen star is 100,000 times as bright as th

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Pistol star - Massive star in the constellation Sagittarius - The massive star Pistol star in Sagittarius - Pistol star is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Located about 25,000 years ago - the light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius, this star shines like 10 million Sun consuming in six seconds as much energy as our star in a year. This star is masked by the numerous interstellar dust present in the Sagittarius near the galactic center and appears only in infrared wavelengths, as in this image obtained with the NICMOS instrument embark on the Hubble space telescope. The nebula that surrounds it (in the shape of a gun), extends over 4 years - light. Image obtained in 1997. Astronomers using Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope have identified what may be the most luminous star known “” a celestial mammoth which releases up to 10 million times the power of the Sun and is big enough to fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. The star unleashes as much energy in six seconds

Pistol star - Massive star in the constellation Sagittarius - The massive star Pistol star in Sagittarius - Pistol star is one of the most massive stars in our galaxy. Located about 25,000 years ago - the light of the Earth in the constellation of Sagittarius, this star shines like 10 million Sun consuming in six seconds as much energy as our star in a year. This star is masked by the numerous interstellar dust present in the Sagittarius near the galactic center and appears only in infrared wavelengths, as in this image obtained with the NICMOS instrument embark on the Hubble space telescope. The nebula that surrounds it (in the shape of a gun), extends over 4 years - light. Image obtained in 1997. Astronomers using Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope have identified what may be the most luminous star known “” a celestial mammoth which releases up to 10 million times the power of the Sun and is big enough to fill the diameter of Earth's orbit. The star unleashes as much energy in six seconds

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Crab Pulsar in Nebula M1 - The Crab pulsar: This false-colored image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope shows the central region of the Crab Nebula or resides its pulsar. The pulsar is visible in the center of the image. It is a very dense neutron star from the explosion of a massive supernova star. This star quickly rotates on itself developing a powerful magnetic field, emitting beams of light and radio waves. M1 is located about 6000 light-years in the constellation Taurus.. In 1054 AD, during the Song dynasty, Chinese astronomers spotted a bright new star in the night sky. This newcomer turned out to be a violent explosion within the Milky Way, caused by the spectacular death of a star some 1600 light-years away. This explosion created one of the most well-studied and beautiful objects in the night sky - the Crab Nebula. The beautiful result of this cataclysmic Type II supernova is shown here, imaged by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys. Unlike m

Crab Pulsar in Nebula M1 - The Crab pulsar: This false-colored image obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope shows the central region of the Crab Nebula or resides its pulsar. The pulsar is visible in the center of the image. It is a very dense neutron star from the explosion of a massive supernova star. This star quickly rotates on itself developing a powerful magnetic field, emitting beams of light and radio waves. M1 is located about 6000 light-years in the constellation Taurus.. In 1054 AD, during the Song dynasty, Chinese astronomers spotted a bright new star in the night sky. This newcomer turned out to be a violent explosion within the Milky Way, caused by the spectacular death of a star some 1600 light-years away. This explosion created one of the most well-studied and beautiful objects in the night sky - the Crab Nebula. The beautiful result of this cataclysmic Type II supernova is shown here, imaged by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys. Unlike m

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