Visible/infrared comparison of the VISTA Flame Nebula image

The image on the left shows the Flame Nebula in visible light. The central regions are hidden behind the dramatic dark tongue of thick dust. This image was created from photographs taken through red and blue filters and forming part of the Digitized Sky Survey 2. On the right is the VISTA infrared view of exactly the same region. The dust is far less prominent and the cluster of hot young stars at the object’s core is revealed. The field of view is about eighteen arcminutes across.

Credit:

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA and Digitized Sky Survey 2. Acknowledgment: Davide De Martin

About the Image

Id:eso0949h
Type:Observation
Release date:11 December 2009, 11:30
Related releases:eso0949
Size:3012 x 1551 px

About the Object

Name:Flame Nebula, NGC 2024
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:1500 light years
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
938.2 KB
Screensize JPEG
132.6 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
217.5 KB
1280x1024
334.9 KB
1600x1200
465.1 KB
1920x1200
557.9 KB
2048x1536
703.5 KB

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
J
1.25 μmVisible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM
Optical
B
Digitized Sky Survey 2
Infrared
H
1.65 μmVisible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM
Infrared
Ks
2.15 μmVisible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy
VIRCAM
Optical
R
Digitized Sky Survey 2

Notes: The left image was taken during the Digital Sky Survey, the right is an image from VISTA.