Infrared/visible comparison of the full VISTA Orion Nebula image

The left-hand panel shows the Orion Nebula in visible light. Most of the light from the spectacular clouds comes from hydrogen gas glowing under the fierce ultraviolet glare from the central hot young stars. The region above the centre is clearly obscured by dust clouds. On the right the VISTA infrared view is shown. By observing infrared light many new features appear, including large numbers of young stars close to the centre and many curious red objects, associated with young stars and their outflows, in the region above the centre.

Credit:

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA & R. Gendler. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit

About the Image

Id:eso1006c
Type:Observation
Release date:10 February 2010, 12:00
Related releases:eso1006
Size:6000 x 4000 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 42, Orion Nebula
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:1400 light years
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
4.5 MB
Screensize JPEG
210.9 KB

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Wallpapers

1024x768
288.3 KB
1280x1024
448.8 KB
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619.0 KB
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936.4 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Infrared
Z
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM
Infrared
J
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM
Infrared
K
Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM

Notes: VISTA data relates to the right image. Optical image by Rob Gendler.