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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
JPL-Caltech,
Spitzer Space Telescope,
Susan Stolovy
(SSC/Caltech) et al.;
Reprocessing: Judy Schmidt
Explanation:
What does the center of our galaxy look like?
In visible light, the
Milky Way's center is
hidden by clouds of
obscuring dust and gas.
But in this stunning vista, the
Spitzer Space Telescope's
infrared cameras,
penetrate much of the
dust revealing the stars of the crowded
galactic center
region.
A mosaic of many smaller snapshots, the detailed,
false-color image shows
older, cool stars in bluish hues.
Red and brown glowing dust clouds are associated with
young, hot stars in stellar nurseries.
The very center of the Milky Way has recently been found capable of forming
newborn
stars.
The galactic center
lies some 26,700 light-years away, toward the constellation
Sagittarius.
At that distance, this picture
spans about 900
light-years.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Galactic Center - infrared
Publications with words: Galactic Center - infrared
See also: