|
|
Three Faces of Andromeda
| Title |
Three Faces of Andromeda |
| Description |
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured stunning infrared views of the famous Andromeda galaxy to reveal insights that were only hinted at in visible light. Spitzer's 24-micron mosaic (top panel) is the sharpest image ever taken of the dust in another spiral galaxy. This is possible because Andromeda is a close neighbor to the Milky Way at a mere 2.5 million light-years away. The Spitzer multiband imaging photometer's 24-micron detector recorded 11,000 separate snapshots to create this new comprehensive picture. Asymmetrical features are seen in the prominent ring of star formation. The ring appears to be split into two pieces, forming the hole to the lower right. These features may have been caused by interactions with satellite galaxies around Andromeda as they plunge through its disk. Spitzer also reveals delicate tracings of spiral arms within this ring that reach into the very center of the galaxy. One sees a scattering of stars within Andromeda, but only select stars that are wrapped in envelopes of dust light up at infrared wavelengths. This is a dramatic contrast to the traditional view at visible wavelengths (lower left panel), which shows the starlight instead of the dust. The center of the galaxy in this view is dominated by a large bulge that overwhelms the inner spirals seen in dust. The dust lanes are faintly visible in places, but only where they can be seen in silhouette against background stars. The multi-wavelength view of Andromeda (lower right panel) combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star-forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004, the one-year anniversary of the launch of the space telescope. The observations have been transformed into this remarkable gift from Spitzer -- the most detailed infrared image of the spectacular galaxy to date. |
|
Three Faces of Andromeda
| Title |
Three Faces of Andromeda |
| Description |
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured stunning infrared views of the famous Andromeda galaxy to reveal insights that were only hinted at in visible light. Spitzer's 24-micron mosaic (top panel) is the sharpest image ever taken of the dust in another spiral galaxy. This is possible because Andromeda is a close neighbor to the Milky Way at a mere 2.5 million light-years away. The Spitzer multiband imaging photometer's 24-micron detector recorded 11,000 separate snapshots to create this new comprehensive picture. Asymmetrical features are seen in the prominent ring of star formation. The ring appears to be split into two pieces, forming the hole to the lower right. These features may have been caused by interactions with satellite galaxies around Andromeda as they plunge through its disk. Spitzer also reveals delicate tracings of spiral arms within this ring that reach into the very center of the galaxy. One sees a scattering of stars within Andromeda, but only select stars that are wrapped in envelopes of dust light up at infrared wavelengths. This is a dramatic contrast to the traditional view at visible wavelengths (lower left panel), which shows the starlight instead of the dust. The center of the galaxy in this view is dominated by a large bulge that overwhelms the inner spirals seen in dust. The dust lanes are faintly visible in places, but only where they can be seen in silhouette against background stars. The multi-wavelength view of Andromeda (lower right panel) combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star-forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004, the one-year anniversary of the launch of the space telescope. The observations have been transformed into this remarkable gift from Spitzer -- the most detailed infrared image of the spectacular galaxy to date. |
|
Three Faces of Andromeda
| Title |
Three Faces of Andromeda |
| Description |
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured stunning infrared views of the famous Andromeda galaxy to reveal insights that were only hinted at in visible light. Spitzer's 24-micron mosaic (top panel) is the sharpest image ever taken of the dust in another spiral galaxy. This is possible because Andromeda is a close neighbor to the Milky Way at a mere 2.5 million light-years away. The Spitzer multiband imaging photometer's 24-micron detector recorded 11,000 separate snapshots to create this new comprehensive picture. Asymmetrical features are seen in the prominent ring of star formation. The ring appears to be split into two pieces, forming the hole to the lower right. These features may have been caused by interactions with satellite galaxies around Andromeda as they plunge through its disk. Spitzer also reveals delicate tracings of spiral arms within this ring that reach into the very center of the galaxy. One sees a scattering of stars within Andromeda, but only select stars that are wrapped in envelopes of dust light up at infrared wavelengths. This is a dramatic contrast to the traditional view at visible wavelengths (lower left panel), which shows the starlight instead of the dust. The center of the galaxy in this view is dominated by a large bulge that overwhelms the inner spirals seen in dust. The dust lanes are faintly visible in places, but only where they can be seen in silhouette against background stars. The multi-wavelength view of Andromeda (lower right panel) combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star-forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004, the one-year anniversary of the launch of the space telescope. The observations have been transformed into this remarkable gift from Spitzer -- the most detailed infrared image of the spectacular galaxy to date. |
|
Three Faces of Andromeda
| Title |
Three Faces of Andromeda |
| Description |
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured stunning infrared views of the famous Andromeda galaxy to reveal insights that were only hinted at in visible light. Spitzer's 24-micron mosaic (top panel) is the sharpest image ever taken of the dust in another spiral galaxy. This is possible because Andromeda is a close neighbor to the Milky Way at a mere 2.5 million light-years away. The Spitzer multiband imaging photometer's 24-micron detector recorded 11,000 separate snapshots to create this new comprehensive picture. Asymmetrical features are seen in the prominent ring of star formation. The ring appears to be split into two pieces, forming the hole to the lower right. These features may have been caused by interactions with satellite galaxies around Andromeda as they plunge through its disk. Spitzer also reveals delicate tracings of spiral arms within this ring that reach into the very center of the galaxy. One sees a scattering of stars within Andromeda, but only select stars that are wrapped in envelopes of dust light up at infrared wavelengths. This is a dramatic contrast to the traditional view at visible wavelengths (lower left panel), which shows the starlight instead of the dust. The center of the galaxy in this view is dominated by a large bulge that overwhelms the inner spirals seen in dust. The dust lanes are faintly visible in places, but only where they can be seen in silhouette against background stars. The multi-wavelength view of Andromeda (lower right panel) combines images taken at 24 microns (blue), 70 microns (green), and 160 microns (red). Using all three bands from the multiband imaging photometer allows astronomers to measure the temperature of the dust by its color. The warmest dust is brightest at 24 microns while the coolest is most evident at 160 microns. The blue/white areas have the hottest dust, as seen in the bulge and in the star-forming areas along the arms. The cooler dust floating further out in the ring and arms are in the redder regions. The data were taken on August 25, 2004, the one-year anniversary of the launch of the space telescope. The observations have been transformed into this remarkable gift from Spitzer -- the most detailed infrared image of the spectacular galaxy to date. |
|
Andromeda Galaxy (M31): A Ne
…
| Name |
Andromeda Galaxy (M31): A New Look at a Close Neighbor |
| Category |
Normal Galaxies & Starburst Galaxies, Supernovas & Supernova Remnants |
| Release Date |
May 22, 2007 |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Discovers Black Holes
…
| Title |
Hubble Discovers Black Holes in Unexpected Places |
| General Information |
What is a Space Science Update? Major Hubble discoveries on NASA television ... Astronomers explain their Hubble discoveries at a press conference, called a Space Science Update (SSU), broadcast on NASA television. The SSU includes a question and answer session with members of the media. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Firestorm of Star Birth Seen
…
| Title |
Firestorm of Star Birth Seen in a Local Galaxy |
| General Information |
What is Hubble Heritage? A monthly showcase of new and archival Hubble images. Go to the Heritage site. Back to top [ #top ] |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk
…
| Title |
Hubble Finds Mysterious Disk of Blue Stars Around Black Hole |
|
NGC 6946: The Fireworks Gala
…
| Title |
NGC 6946: The Fireworks Galaxy |
| Explanation |
Why is this galaxy so active? Nearby spiral galaxy NGC 6946 [ http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/n6946.html ] is undergoing a tremendous burst of star formation with no obvious cause. In many cases spirals light up when interacting with another galaxy, but NGC 6946 [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040410.html ] appears relatively isolated in space. Located just 10 million light years [ http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question19.html ] away toward the constellation [ http://www.fillingthesky.com/id8.html ] of Cepheus [ http://www.astronomical.org/portal/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=20 ], this beautiful face-on spiral [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap041216.html ] spans about 20,000 light years and is seen through a field of foreground stars from our Milky Way Galaxy [ http://cassfos02.ucsd.edu/public/tutorial/MW.html ]. The center of NGC 6946 [ http://www.gemini.edu/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=116 ] is home to a nuclear starburst itself, and picturesque dark dust is seen lacing the disk along with bright blue stars [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap031227.html ], red emission nebulas [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/emission_nebulae.html ], fast moving gas clouds, and unusually frequent supernovas [ http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/snr.html ]. The 8-meter Gemini North Telescope [ http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap990629.html ] in Hawaii, USA [ http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html ], took the above image [ http://www.gemini.edu/index.php?set_albumName=Previous-Featured-Images&id=ngc6946_Small&option=com_gallery&Itemid=39&include=view_photo.php ]. A suggested explanation [ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2000MNRAS.319..821P ] for the high star formation rate is the recent accretion of many primordial low-mass neutral hydrogen clouds [ http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/clouds_hydrogen_swarm_andromeda.html?422004 ] from the surrounding region. |
|
|
