Southwest Andromeda
Explanation:
This
new image composite of the southwest region of
M31 from the
Subaru Telescope shows many stars,
nebulae, and star clusters never before resolved.
An older population of stars near
Andromeda's center
causes the yellow hue visible on the upper right.
Young blue stars stand out in the
spiral arms on the lower left.
Red emission nebula,
blue open clusters of stars,
and sweeping lanes of dark
dust punctuate the swirling giant.
Andromeda, at about 2.5 million
light years distant, and our
Milky Way are the largest
galaxies in the
Local Group of Galaxies.
Understanding
M31 helps astronomers to
understand our own
Milky Way Galaxy, since the two are so similar.
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.
