Cool new views of Andromeda Galaxy
The Herschel Space Observatory captures two infrared images of the spiral galaxy.
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NASA/JPL —
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January 30, 2013 The ring-like swirls of dust filling the Andromeda Galaxy stand out colorfully in this new image from the Herschel Space Observatory, a European Space Agency mission with important NASA participation. // Credit: ESA/NASA/JPL-Caltech/NHSC
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) lies 2 million light-years away, and it is the closest large galaxy to our Milky Way. It is estimated to have up to 1 trillion stars, whereas the Milky Way contains hundreds of billions. Recent evidence suggests Andromeda's overall mass may in fact be less than the mass of the Milky Way, when dark matter is included.
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 In this new view of the Andromeda Galaxy from the Herschel Space Observatory, cool lanes of forming stars are revealed in the finest detail yet. Herschel is a European Space Agency mission with important NASA participation. // Credit: ESA/Herschel/PACS & SPIRE Consortium, O. Krause, HSC, H. Linz
In both views, warmer dust is highlighted in the central regions by different colors. New stars are being born in this central crowded hub and throughout the galaxy's rings in dusty knots. Spokes of dust can also be seen between the rings.
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