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.

Credit:

ESO/VVV
Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit

Over de afbeelding

Id:eso1101b
Type:Collage
Publicatiedatum:5 januari 2011 12:00
Gerelateerde berichten:eso1101
Grootte:4581 x 4388 px

Over het object

Naam:Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Afstand:5000 lichtjaren
Categorie:Nebulae

Image Formats

Grote JPEG
7,3 MB