WISE News & Features

Closest Star System Found in a Century

NASA's WISE mission has found the closest star system discovered since 1916 -- a pair of brown dwarfs right in our celestial backyard.

WISE Feels the Heat from Orion's Sword

The tangle of clouds and stars that lie in Orion's sword is showcased in a new, expansive view from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

Little Telescope Spies Gigantic Galaxy Clusters

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is helping to find the rarest and largest of galaxy groupings in the universe.

NASA's WISE Colors in Unknowns on Jupiter Asteroids

Observations from NASA's WISE all-sky survey reveal new clues about Jovian Trojans, mysterious asteroids that orbit in front of and behind Jupiter in its path around the sun.

NASA's WISE Survey Uncovers Millions of Black Holes

NASA's WISE mission has led to a bonanza of newfound supermassive black holes and extreme galaxies called hot DOGs, or dust-obscured galaxies.

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Dust

Astronomers have discovered that vast amounts of planetary dust, enough to fill the inner portions of a solar system, have suddenly vanished.

The 'Flame' Burns Bright in New WISE Image

A fiery image from NASA's WISE mission shows the Flame nebula "burning" a hole in the cosmic dust.

WISE Finds Few Brown Dwarfs Close to Home

Astronomers are getting to know the neighbors better. Our sun resides within a spiral arm of our Milky Way galaxy about two-thirds of the way out from the center.

NASA Survey Counts Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

Observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have led to the best assessment yet of our solar system's population of potentially hazardous asteroids.

NASA's WISE Mission Sees Skies Ablaze With Blazars

Astronomers are hunting a class of supermassive black holes throughout the universe called blazars thanks to data collected by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer.

NASA Releases New WISE Mission Catalog of Entire Infrared Sky

NASA unveiled a new atlas and catalog of the entire infrared sky today showing more than a half billion stars, galaxies and other objects captured by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission.

Stars Pop Onto the Scene in New WISE Image

A new, large mosaic from NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) showcases a vast stretch of cosmic clouds bubbling with new star birth.

WISE Presents a Cosmic Wreath

Sprigs of holly, a big red bow and silver bells appear to dress up this cosmic star-forming wreath, captured by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).

Star Explosion Leaves Behind a Rose

What appears to be a giant red rose in space is all that's left of a star that exploded long ago.

NASA Telescopes Help Solve Ancient Supernova Mystery

A mystery that began nearly 2,000 years ago, when Chinese astronomers witnessed what would turn out to be an exploding star in the sky, has been solved.

NASA Space Telescope Finds Fewer Asteroids Near Earth

New observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, show there are significantly fewer near-Earth asteroids in the mid-size range than previously thought.

NASA to Host News Conference on Asteroid Search Findings

NASA will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. EDT (10 a.m. PDT) on Thurs., Sept. 29, to reveal near-Earth asteroid findings and implications for future research.

NASA's WISE Mission Captures Black Hole's Wildly Flaring Jet

Astronomers using NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have captured rare data of a flaring black hole, revealing new details about these powerful objects and their blazing jets.

Origin of Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Remains a Mystery

The family of asteroids some believed was responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs is not likely the culprit according to new observations.

NASA's Wise Mission Discovers Coolest Class of Stars

Scientists using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have discovered the coldest class of star-like bodies, with temperatures as cool as the human body.

NASA's WISE Finds Earth's First Trojan Asteroid

Astronomers studying observations taken by NASA's WISE mission have discovered the first known "Trojan" asteroid orbiting the sun along with Earth.

Comet Hartley 2 Leaves a Bumpy Trail

Comet Hartley 2 is a little bit like Hansel and Gretel, leaving behind a trail of ice crumbs as it circles the sun.

A Night with the Stars...in a Conference Room

Astronomers no longer peer through telescopes up at the night sky. The wonders of the universe can now be accessed right from a laptop.

NASA's WISE Mission Offers a Taste of Galaxies to Come

An assorted mix of colorful galaxies is being released today by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mission, or WISE.

WISE Delivers Millions of Galaxies, Stars, Asteroids

Astronomers across the globe can now sift through hundreds of millions of galaxies, stars and asteroids collected in the first bundle of data from NASA's WISE mission.

WISE Mission Spots 'Horseshoe' Asteroid

Astronomers using data from NASA's WISE mission have found an asteroid that appears to slowly trace out a horseshoe shape in space, as seen from Earth.

The Art of Making Stars

A swirling palette of star-forming clouds can be seen in this picturesque image from WISE.

Speed Demon Creates a Shock

WISE has captured a star zipping through space like a race car driver.

'Elephant Trunks' in Space

A new image from NASA's WISE mission shows a zoo of "elephant trunks" herded together in a star-forming region.

Can WISE Find the Hypothetical 'Tyche'?

This colorful picture is a mosaic of the Lagoon nebula taken by NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

NASA's NEOWISE Completes Scan for Asteroids and Comets

NASA's NEOWISE mission has completed its survey of small bodies, asteroids and comets, in our solar system.

Runaway Star Plows Through Space

Can you tell which way the central, bright blue star is traveling in this new image from WISE?

Partner Galaxies Wildly Different In New WISE Image

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer has captured a new view of two companion galaxies -- a somewhat tranquil spiral beauty and its rambunctious partner.

A Galaxy for Everyone

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, celebrates its launch anniversary with a taste of four galaxy flavors.

WISE Sees an Explosion of Infrared Light

NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer has caught sight of an unusual display of infrared colors around a supernova remnant.

WISE Image Reveals Strange Specimen in Starry Sea

A new image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer shows what looks like a glowing jellyfish floating at the bottom of a dark, speckled sea.

Cool Star is a Gem of a Find

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has eyed its first cool brown dwarf: a tiny, ultra-cold star floating all alone in space.

The Many Infrared 'Personalities' of the Sculptor Galaxy

The Sculptor galaxy is seen in a rainbow of infrared colors by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

WISE Captures Key Images of Comet Mission's Destination

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, caught a glimpse of the comet that the agency's EPOXI mission will visit in November.

NASA's WISE Mission Warms Up but Keeps Chugging Along

After completing its primary mission to map the infrared sky, NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has reached the expected end of its onboard supply of frozen coolant.

WISE Captures the Unicorn's Rose

Unicorns and roses are usually the stuff of fairy tales, but a new cosmic image taken by NASA's WISE mission shows the Rosette nebula in the constellation Monoceros, or the Unicorn.

WISE Spacecraft Warming Up

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is warming up. Team members say the spacecraft is running out of the frozen coolant needed to keep its heat-sensitive instrument chilled.

NASA's WISE Mission to Complete Extensive Sky Survey

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, will complete its first survey of the entire sky on July 17, 2010.

The Coolest Stars Come Out of the Dark

Astronomers have uncovered what appear to be 14 of the coldest stars known in our universe.

Jumbo Jellyfish or Massive Star?

Some might see a blood-red jellyfish, while others might see a pair of lips. In fact, the red-colored object in this new image from WISE is a sphere of stellar innards.

WISE Telescope has Heart and Soul

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has captured a huge mosaic of two bubbling clouds in space, known as the Heart and Soul nebulae.

WISE Makes Progress on Its Space Rock Catalog

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is busy surveying the landscape of the infrared sky, building up a catalog of cosmic specimens -- everything from distant galaxies to "failed" stars, called brown dwarfs.

Asteroid Caught Marching Across Tadpole Nebula

A new infrared image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, showcases the Tadpole nebula, and asteroids that just happened to be cruising by.

Hiding Out Behind the Milky Way

A leggy cosmic creature comes out of hiding in this new infrared view from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

WISE: Your Guide to the Infrared Sky

Learn about NASA's WISE mission and all the goodies it is expected to uncover in this new, interactive feature.

WISE Captures a Cosmic Rose

A new infrared image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, shows a cosmic rosebud blossoming with new stars.

NASA's WISE Mission Releases Medley of First Images

A diverse cast of cosmic characters is showcased in the first survey images NASA released Wednesday from its Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

WISE Spies a Comet with its Powerful Infrared Eye

WISE has discovered its first comet, one of many objects the mission is expected to find during its ongoing infrared survey of the sky.

NASA's WISE Eye Spies Near-Earth Asteroid

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has spotted its first never-before-seen near-Earth asteroid, the first of hundreds it is expected to find during its mission to map the whole sky in infrared light.

Infrared Hunt Begins: WISE Starts All-Sky Survey

NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) began its survey of the infrared sky today.

NASA's WISE Eye Spies First Glimpse of the Starry Sky

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has captured its first look at the starry sky that it will soon begin surveying in infrared light.

NASA's WISE Space Telescope Jettisons Its Cover

NASA's recently launched Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer opened its eyes to the starry sky today, after ejecting its protective cover.

Prepping WISE to Pop Its Lens Cap

Engineers are getting ready to eject the cover on NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, which launched from Vandengerg Air Force Base, Calif., on Dec. 14.

NASA's WISE Eye on the Universe Begins All-Sky Survey Mission

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, lifted off over the Pacific Ocean this morning on its way to map the entire sky in infrared light.

WISE has launched!

WISE has launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

WISE Launch Rescheduled for December 14

The launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) is now rescheduled for Dec. 14.

NASA's WISE Set to Blast Off and Map the Skies

The countdown clock is ticking, with just days to go before the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, rockets into space on a mission to map the entire sky in infrared light.

WISE Launch Delayed 24 Hours

Liftoff of a Delta II rocket and its NASA payload, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), has been delayed 24 hours.

WISE Launch Scheduled for Dec. 11

Launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Get 'WISE' About Teaching Infrared

A good way to bring a cool mission like WISE into the classroom is to focus on how we use infrared to study the universe.

WISE Snug in Its Nose Cone

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer has been wrapped in the outer nose cone, or "fairing," that will protect it during its scheduled Dec. 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

WISE a Bit Closer to the Sky

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is now perched atop its rocket in preparations for a Dec. 9 liftoff.

NASA's WISE Gets Ready to Survey the Whole Sky

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, is chilled out, sporting a sunshade and getting ready to roll.

WISE Is Chilling Out

Engineers are busy cooling the science instrument on NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

In Search of Dark Asteroids (and Other Sneaky Things)

Ninjas knew how to be stealthy: Be dark. Emit very little light. Move in the shadows between bright places.

NASA's WISE Mission Arrives at Launch Site

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has arrived at its last stop on Earth -- Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

WISE Mission Assembled and Preparing for Launch

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has been assembled and is undergoing final preparations for a planned Nov. 1 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer Coming Together

The science instrument for NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer has been shipped to Boulder, Colo.

NASA Says: 'Build It and Infrared Surprises Will Come'

Engineers are rolling up their sleeves in preparation for building a telescope that will find the nearest star-like objects and the brightest galaxies.

View release (October 13, 2006)

NASA Approves Mission to Seek Nearest Stars, Brightest Galaxies

A new NASA mission will scan the entire sky in infrared light in search of nearby cool stars, planetary construction zones and the brightest galaxies in the universe.