JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

A Whirlpool Warhol Shows Galaxy in Different Light

Jun 26, 2019
This multipanel image by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows how different wavelengths of light can reveal different features of a cosmic object.
Context Image
Annotated image for PIA23128
Context Image
Annotated image for PIA23128

These four panels show the Whirlpool galaxy — which is actually a pair of galaxies also known as Messier 51 and NGC 5194/5195 — and how different wavelengths of light can reveal different features of a cosmic object. Located approximately 23 million light-years away, it resides in the constellation Canes Venatici.

The left image (a) shows the galaxy in visible light, from the Kitt Peak National Observatory 2.1-meter (6.8-foot) telescope and shows light at 0.4 microns (blue) and 0.7 microns (green). The next image (b) combines two visible-light wavelengths (in blue and green) and infrared light (in red). The infrared was captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and emphasizes how the dark dust veins that block our view in visible light begin to light up at these longer, infrared wavelengths.

The right two panels are composed entirely of Spitzer data. In the middle-right panel (c), we see three wavelengths of infrared light: 3.6 microns (shown in blue), 4.5 microns (green) and 8 microns (red). The blended light from the billions of stars in the Whirlpool is brightest at the shorter infrared wavelengths and appear as as a blue haze. The individual blue dots across the image are mostly nearby stars and a few distant galaxies. Red features (at 8 microns) show us dust composed mostly of carbon that is illuminated by the stars in the galaxy.

The far-right panel (d) expands our infrared view to include light at a wavelength of 24 microns (in red), which is particularly good for highlighting areas where the dust is especially hot. The bright reddish-white spots trace regions where new stars are forming and, in the process, heating their surroundings.

All of the data shown here were released as part of the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) project, captured during Spitzer's cryogenic and warm missions.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, manages the Spitzer Space Telescope mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Science operations are conducted at the Spitzer Science Center at Caltech in Pasadena. Space operations are based at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Littleton, Colorado. Data are archived at the Infrared Science Archive housed at IPAC at Caltech. Caltech manages JPL for NASA.

For more information on Spitzer, visit:

www.nasa.gov/spitzer and www.spitzer.caltech.edu/

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
  • Infrared Universe Mission
Instrument
  • Infrared Array Camera (IRAC)
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Spitzer Image of Star Factory W51

Animation of Black Hole Disk Flare in OJ 287

Spitzer California Nebula Mosaic

Spitzer Brown Dwarf Wind (Artist's Concept)

Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) Before Launch

Spitzer Project Manager Declares End of Mission

Tarantula Nebula Spitzer 3-Color Image

Tarantula Nebula Spitzer 2-Color Image

Spitzer Space Telescope Ready for Launch

Spitzer Space Telescope (Illustration)

Related Topic

News .

Telescopes Unite in Unprecedented Observations of Famous Black Hole

News .

Trio of Fast-Spinning Brown Dwarfs May Reveal a Rotational Speed Limit

Topic .

Stars and Galaxies

News .

Reclusive Neutron Star May Have Been Found in Famous Supernova

News .

NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SPHEREx Astrophysics Mission

News .

The 7 Rocky TRAPPIST-1 Planets May Be Made of Similar Stuff

News .

Citizen Scientists Help Create 3D Map of Cosmic Neighborhood

News .

Gravitational Wave Search Finds Tantalizing New Clue

News .

A New NASA Space Telescope, SPHEREx, Is Moving Ahead

News .

NASA Missions Help Pinpoint the Source of a Unique X-ray, Radio Burst

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors of JPL
JPL History
Documentary Series
Virtual Tour
Annual Reports
Missions
All
Current
Past
Future
News
All
Earth
Mars
Solar System
Universe
Technology
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Infographics
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Engage
JPL and the Community
Lecture Series
Public Tours
Events
Team Competitions
JPL Speakers Bureau
Topics
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Stars and Galaxies
Exoplanets
Technology
JPL Life
For Media
Contacts and Information
Press Kits
More
Asteroid Watch
Robotics at JPL
Subscribe to Newsletter
Universe Newsletter
Social Media
RSS
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Manager: Veronica McGregor
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Randal Jackson, Naomi Hartono