An infrared/visible light comparison of views of the Helix Nebula

This video compares a new view of the Helix Nebula acquired with the VISTA telescope in infrared light with the more familiar view in visible light from the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory. The infrared vision of VISTA reveals strands of cold nebular gas that are mostly obscured in visible light images of the Helix.