The Galactic Center Across the Infrared
Explanation:
The center of our Galaxy is obscured in
visible light by dark dust that rotates
with the stars in the
Galactic Plane.
In this century, however,
sensors have been
developed
that can detect light more red that
humans
can see - light called
infrared.
The
above picture
shows what the
Galactic Center
looks like in three increasingly red bands of
near-infrared
light.
The picture results from a digital combination of data
recently taken by the
2MASS
and
MSX Galactic surveys.
In near-
infrared
light (shown in blue) the
dust
is less opaque and many previously shrouded
red giant
stars become visible.
In the mid-infrared (shown in red) the
dust itself glows brightly,
but allows us a view very close to our tumultuous and mysterious
Galactic Center.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
