Infrared/visible light comparison of views of the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)
This image compares infrared and visible views of the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253). 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 (eso0902). The new infrared image (upper) was taken with the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. In the infrared, the rich dust clouds in the galaxy’s spiral arms become nearly transparent and a whole host of cool red stars that are otherwise invisible can be seen.
Credit:ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit
About the Image
| Id: | eso1025b |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 16 June 2010, 12:00 |
| Related releases: | eso1025 |
| Size: | 2666 x 3041 px |
About the Object
| Name: | NGC 253 |
| Type: | Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral |
| Distance: | 13 million light years |
| Category: | Galaxies |
Wallpapers
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Infrared Z | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Optical Oiii | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Infrared Y | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Optical V | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Infrared Near-IR | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Optical H-alpha | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Infrared J | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Infrared K | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Optical R | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
Notes: VISTA data refers to the top image and WFI data to the bottom image.