Universe ID: 30980

Barred Galaxy (NGC 253) in Multiple Wavelengths

Released on August 6, 2018

In NGC 253, the visible-light view is complicated by the viewing angle, dark dust clouds, and scatterings of massive stars. Switching to the near-infrared lets us see the full population of stars more clearly, revealing a bar running through the center of the galaxy. Including mid-infrared also brings out the dust lanes clearly, and even highlights the areas where stars are forming vigorously, particularly in the galaxy's center.

Optical: Dust and bright stars confuse the view in visible light.
Near-Infrared: Dust lanes along the spiral arms glow in the mid-infrared.
Mid-Infrared: The base population of stars reveal the spiral arms and central bar.

Credits

Greg Bacon (STScI): Visualizer
Leann Johnson (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Technical Support

Please give credit for this item to:

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

Optical: ESO
Near-infrared: NASA, JPL-Caltech, UCLA
Mid-infrared: NASA, JPL-Caltech, UCLA

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/30980

Missions:
Spitzer Space Telescope
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

Data Used:

Spitzer Space Telescope

NASA JPL/Cal Tech

http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/

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European Southern Observatory (ESO)

https://www.eso.org

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Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer also referred to as: WISE

Observed Data

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/mission/index.html

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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 >> HDTV
SVS >> Infrared
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> Star
NASA Science >> Universe