The Infrared Universe Images from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope The Milky Way In visible light, the bulk of our Milky Way galaxy's stars are eclipsed behind thick clouds of galactic dust and gas. But to the infrared eyes of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, distant stars and dust clouds shine with unparalleled clarity and color. Red clouds indicate the presence of large organic molecules mixed with dust. Black patches are dense obscuring dust clouds impenetrable even to Spitzer. Bright arcs of white are massive stellar incubators. + Full image and caption 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8   Jet Propulsion Laboratory    California Institute of Technology   Spitzer Space Telescope