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The Galactic Center in Infrared Light (Spitzer)
The center of our Milky Way galaxy is hidden from the prying eyes of optical telescopes by clouds of obscuring dust and gas. But in this stunning vista, the Spitzer Space Telescope's infrared cameras penetrate much of the dust, revealing the stars of the crowded galactic center region. The upcoming Webb telescope will offer a much-improved infrared view, teasing out fainter stars and sharper details.
- Release DateOctober 9, 2019
- Science ReleaseMilky Way’s Center Will Be Revealed by NASA’s Webb Telescope
- CreditImage: NASA, Caltech, Susan Stolovy (SSC, Caltech)
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Animation of the Stellar Orbits Around the Galactic Center
Infrared observations using the ground-based Keck telescope have allowed astronomers to track individual stars orbiting the black hole at the galactic center. Webb is expected to detect fainter stars than are shown here, providing a more complete census of the stellar population...
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Laura Betz
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
laura.e.betz@nasa.gov
NASA, Caltech, Susan Stolovy (SSC, Caltech)
