Universe ID: 30981

Messier 81 in Multiple Wavelengths

Released on August 20, 2018

Messier 81 (M81) is a classic example of a spiral galaxy. Star-forming regions in this galaxy become evident in the infrared view. In the infrared, the spiral arm structure becomes much more powerful relative to the visibly bright galactic center, revealing denser concentrations of cold dust and gas ready to be transformed into new stars.

Optical: Stars are partly obscured by dust.
Near-Infrared: Longer infrared wavelengths now show star-forming areas in red.
Far-Infrared: Shifting to infrared light reveals the dust lanes in red.

Credits

Greg Bacon (STScI): Visualizer
Nigel A. Sharp (NSF): Image Processing
Steven Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics): Image Processing
Karl Gordon (University of Arizona): Image Processing
Leann Johnson (GST): Technical Support

Please give credit for this item to:

Video: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI) Image Credits:

Optical: N.A. Sharp (NOAO, AURA, NSF)
Near-infrared: NASA, JPL-Caltech, S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
Far-infrared: NASA, JPL-Caltech, K. Gordon (University of Arizona) and S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

Short URL to share this page:
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/30981

Mission:
Spitzer Space Telescope

Data Used:
Spitzer Space Telescope
National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.

Keywords:
SVS >> Dust
SVS >> Galaxy
SVS >> Gas
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Infrared
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> Star
NASA Science >> Universe
SVS >> Star Formation