spitzer_ssc2006-01a1 January 9th, 2006
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
The Helix Nebula, which is composed of gaseous shells and disks puffed out by a dying sunlike star, exhibits complex structure on the smallest visible scales. In this new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, infrared light at wavelengths of 3.6, 4.5, and 8.0 microns has been colored blue, green, and red (respectively). The color saturation also has been increased to intensify hues. The "cometary knots" show blue-green heads due to excitation of their molecular material from shocks or ultraviolet radiation. The tails of the cometary knots appear redder due to being shielded from the central star's ultraviolet radiation and wind by the heads of the knots.
Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope
Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1533-ssc2006-01a1-Infrared-Helix
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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