Images by Date
Images by Category
Images by Interest
Image Tutorials
Image Use Policy
Web Shortcuts
Open and close menu tab
More Images of W51
1
Click for large jpg Labeled
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg X-ray
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg Infrared
Jpeg, Tif
X-ray & Infrared Images of W51
Because of its relative proximity, the giant molecular cloud W51 provides astronomers with an excellent opportunity to study how stars are forming in our Milky Way galaxy. These images contain X-ray data from Chandra and infrared light from Spitzer. Chandra reveals about 600 point-like X-ray sources and diffuse X-ray emission. These X-rays come from young stars, many of which are clumped together in stellar clusters of different sizes throughout W51. Observations like these give astronomers detailed information about how stars form.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/L.Townsley et al; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech)


Return to W51 (July 12, 2017)