The Power of Infrared

The power of using infrared light to peer through the dust in the cosmos is clearly demonstrated in this stunning image of the Lagoon Nebula (M8) from the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) VISTA telescope at the Paranal Observatory in Chile.

Infrared and visual images of the Lagoon nebula

The top view shows a vast field of stars, many of which are cool red stars, but it is the hot young stars that radiate prodigiously in the ultraviolet that help the Lagoon nebula glow in the visible range as seen in the bottom view.

Here is a nice video that fades from visual to infrared views of the Lagoon nebula.

Check out some larger images and more information at ESO’s website

Till next time,

RC Davison

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