Infrared/visible light comparison of views of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8)

This image compares infrared and visible views of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8). The visible light image (lower) was taken with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at La Silla in Chile. The new infrared image (upper) was taken with the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. In the infrared, the rich dust clouds become more transparent and the gas clouds less conspicuous. A whole host of cool red stars that are otherwise invisible can be seen.

Crédit:

ESO/VVV
Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit

À propos de l'image

Identification:eso1101b
Type:Collage
Date de publication:5 janvier 2011 12:00
Communiqués de presse en rapport:eso1101
Taille:4581 x 4388 px

À propos de l'objet

Nom:Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:5000 années lumière
Catégorie:Nebulae

Formats des images

Grand JPEG
7,3 Mio
JPEG taille écran
465,2 Kio