Stars at the Galactic Center
Explanation:
The center
of our Milky Way Galaxy
is hidden
from the prying eyes of optical telescopes 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.
Reddish glowing dust clouds are associated with
young, hot stars in stellar nurseries.
The very center of the Milky Way was only
recently found capable of forming
newborn
stars.
The
galactic center
lies some 26,000 light-years away, toward the constellation
Sagittarius.
At that distance, this picture spans about 900 light-years.
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.
