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International Year of Astronomy 2009

International Year of Astronomy 2009


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International Year of Astronomy 2009

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, NASAs Great Observatories -- the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory -- have produced a matched trio of images of the central region of our Milky Way galaxy. Each image shows the telescopes different wavelength view of the galactic center region, illustrating the unique science each observatory conducts. In this spectacular image, observations using infrared light and X-ray light see through the obscuring dust and reveal the intense activity near the galactic core. Note that the center of the galaxy is located within the bright white region to the right of and just below the middle of the image. The entire image width covers about one-half a degree, about the same angular width as the full moon. Spitzers infrared-light observations provide a detailed and spectacular view of the galactic center region [Figure 1 (top frame of poster)]. The swirling core of our galaxy harbors hundreds of thousands of stars that cannot be seen in visible light. These stars heat the nearby gas and dust. These dusty clouds glow in infrared light and reveal their often dramatic shapes. Some of these clouds harbor stellar nurseries that are forming new generations of stars. Like the downtown of a large city, the center of our galaxy is a crowded, active, and vibrant place. Although best known for its visible-light images, Hubble also observes over a limited range of infrared light [Figure 2 (middle frame of poster)]. The galactic center is marked by the bright patch in the lower right. Along the left side are large arcs of warm gas that have been heated by clusters of bright massive stars. In addition, Hubble uncovered many more massive stars across the region. Winds and radiation from these stars create the complex structures seen in the gas throughout the image.This sweeping panorama is one of the sharpest infrared pictures ever made of the galactic center region. X-rays detected by Chandra expose a wealth of exotic objects and high-energy features [Figure 3 (bottom frame of poster)]. In this image, pink represents lower energy X-rays and blue indicates higher energy. Hundreds of small dots show emission from material around black holes and other dense stellar objects. A supermassive black hole -- some four million times more massive than the Sun -- resides within the bright region in the lower right. The diffuse X-ray light comes from gas heated to millions of degrees by outflows from the supermassive black hole, winds from giant stars, and stellar explosions. This central region is the most energetic place in our galaxy

Space Image feature a selection of NASA's incredible imagery

Media ID 19854789

© NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/CXC/STScI

Hubble Space Telescope


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning print captures the essence of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, showcasing the collaborative efforts of NASA's Great Observatories - Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory. The trio of images focuses on the central region of our Milky Way galaxy, each highlighting a different wavelength view and revealing unique scientific discoveries. The infrared light observations from Spitzer provide an intricate and breathtaking view of the galactic center. Hidden within this swirling core are hundreds of thousands of stars that remain invisible to visible light. However, their presence is felt as they heat nearby gas and dust clouds, which glow in infrared light and unveil their captivating shapes. These clouds also serve as stellar nurseries where new generations of stars are being born. Hubble's contribution to this image comes through its limited range observation in infrared light. It exposes the bright patch marking the galactic center along with large arcs of warm gas heated by clusters of massive stars. The complex structures seen throughout the image result from winds and radiation emitted by these stars. Chandra completes this celestial masterpiece by detecting X-rays that reveal a wealth of exotic objects and high-energy features. Pink represents lower energy X-rays while blue indicates higher energy levels. Hundreds of small dots signify emission from material surrounding black holes and other dense stellar objects. In particular, a supermassive black hole resides within the bright region at the lower right corner. Overall, this panoramic image showcases not only intense activity near our galaxy's core but also highlights how different wavelengths contribute to unraveling its mysteries.

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