Planck Sees Perseus

A low activity, star-formation region in the constellation Perseus, as seen by Planck. This long-wavelength image covers a square region of 13 by 13 degrees (which is equivalent 26 by 26 full moons). It is a three-color combination constructed from three of Planck's nine frequency channels: 30, 353 and 857 gigahertz.

Planck is measuring the sky at nine wavelengths of light, one of which is shown here. Planck is a European Space Agency mission, with significant participation from NASA. NASA's Planck Project Office is based at JPL. JPL contributed mission-enabling technology for both of Planck's science instruments. European, Canadian, U.S. and NASA Planck scientists will work together to analyze the Planck data. More information is online at http://www.nasa.gov/planck and http://www.esa.int/planck.