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WISE Uncovers a Spectacular Infrared Cosmos
astroengine writes "The first set of images from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey are online and the mission is working perfectly if these pictures are anything to go by. In this first batch of WISE observations are stunning new views of Andromeda, comets, star clusters, and galactic clusters."
The images of M31 are fantastic. It's interesting to be able to see how stellar formation is mostly happening where gas clouds are interacting with the medium around them, that should give us more data on how rotation in the galaxies spiral arms influences stellar formation.
From these pix it looks like the theories about galaxies having "orbital rings" of debris from collisions with other galaxies were right. You can see several distinct rings that aren't in the same plane as the disc.
SB
(just an amateur astronomer wishing he could have been a professional)
It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
The pictures are absolutely awesome and totally took my breath away, as they give an interesting angle to the galaxies. Nasa should be very proud.