spitzer_ssc2005-09b1 March 22nd, 2005
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (SSC)
This artist's concept shows what a fiery hot star and its close-knit planetary companion might look close up if viewed in visible. In visible light, a star shines brilliantly, overwhelming the little light that is reflected by its planet.The visible panel shows what our eyes would see if we could witness the system close up. The hot star is yellow because, like our Sun, it is brightest in yellow wavelengths. The warm planet, on the other hand, is brightest in infrared light, which we can't see. Instead, we would see the glimmer of star light that the planet reflects.
Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope
Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/90-ssc2005-09b1-Blinded-by-the-Light-Visible-
Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA
Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Detailed color mapping information coming soon...
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