Explanation:
With a 3.5 meter diameter mirror, larger than the Hubble
Space Telescope, Herschel is ESA's
new infrared
observatory.
The space-based telescope is named for
German-born British astronomer Frederick William
Herschel who
discovered infrared light
over 200 years ago.
In initial tests,
Herschel's cameras have combined to deliver
this spectacular view
along the plane of the Milky Way in
the constellation of the Southern Cross.
Spanning some 2 degrees the premier, false-color,
far-infrared view captures our galaxy's cold
dust clouds
in extreme detail, showing a remarkable,
connected maze of filaments and
star-forming regions.
These and planned future Herschel observations are intended to
unravel mysteries of star formation by surveying broad areas of the
galactic plane.
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