Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Stunning near-infrared starless image of M51 as seen by Hubble

Stunning near-infrared starless image of M51 as seen by Hubble
Click on the image for full resolution

This image by the Hubble Space Telescope shows a dramatic view of the spiral galaxy M51, dubbed the Whirlpool Galaxy. Seen in near-infrared light, most of the starlight has been removed, revealing the Whirlpool's dust structure. This new image is the sharpest view of the dense dust in M51. The narrow lanes of dust revealed by Hubble reflect the galaxy's moniker, the Whirlpool Galaxy, as if they were swirling toward the galaxy's core.
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Regan and B. Whitmore (STScI), R. Chandar (University of Toledo), S. Beckwith (STScI), and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

1 comment(s):

Unknown said...

It's almost like the eye of Sauron. But it is amazing that this near-infrared image does exist in our own universe. While it's very pretty, the image should give scientists some new insights on that whirlpool galaxy and space in general.

George Melcher

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