The Seven Sisters, also known as the Pleiades, seem to float on a bed of feathers in a new infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Clouds of dust sweep around the stars, swaddling them in a cushiony veil. The Pleiades, located more than 400 light-years away in the Taurus...
IRAS 19340+2016
'Enterprise' Nebulae Seen by Spitzer (annotated)
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the TV series "Star Trek," which first aired September 8th,1966, a new infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope may remind fans of the historic show.
IRAS 19340+2016
'Enterprise' Nebulae Seen by Spitzer
Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the TV series "Star Trek," which first aired September 8th,1966, a new infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope may remind fans of the historic show.
Age-Defying Star
An age-defying star called IRAS 19312+1950 exhibits features characteristic of a very young star and a very old star. The object stands out as extremely bright inside a large, chemically rich cloud of material.
Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer Beyond
This artist's concept shows NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Spitzer begins its "Beyond" mission phase on Oct. 1, 2016. Spitzer is depicted in the orientation it assumes to establish communications with ground stations.
Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer's Journey
This diagram shows how the different phases of Spitzers mission relate to its location relative to the Earth over time.
The Loneliest Young Star
An unusual celestial object called CX330 was first detected as a source of X-ray light in 2009. It has been launching jets of material into the gas and dust around it.
FU Orionis
Dimming of FU Orionis (Spitzer)
The brightness of outbursting star FU Orionis has been slowly fading since its initial flare-up in 1936. Researchers found that it has dimmed by about 13 percent in short infrared wavelengths from 2004 to 2016.
FU Orionis
Dimming of FU Orionis (SOFIA)
The brightness of outbursting star FU Orionis has been slowly fading since its initial flare-up in 1936. Researchers found that it has dimmed by about 13 percent in short infrared wavelengths from 2004 to 2016.
FU Orionis
Dimming of FU Orionis (Artist's Concept)
The brightness of outbursting star FU Orionis has been slowly fading since its initial flare-up in 1936. Researchers found that it has dimmed by about 13 percent in short infrared wavelengths from 2004 (left) to 2016 (right).
Light Echo Diagram
Astronomers can use light echoes to measure the distance from a star to its surrounding protoplanetary disk. This diagram illustrates how the time delay of the light echo is proportional to the distance between the star and the inner edge of the disk.
Protoplanetary Disk
This illustration shows a star surrounded by a protoplanetary disk. Material from the thick disk flows along the stars magnetic field lines and is deposited onto the stars surface. When material hits the star, it lights up brightly.
IC 417
The Spider Nebula
The spider part of "The Spider and the Fly" nebulae, IC 417 abounds in star formation, as seen in this infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS).
Hot N' Hotter Planet Measured by Spitzer
The varying brightness of an exoplanet called 55 Cancri e is shown in this plot of infrared data captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
55 Cancri e
Hot-Lava World Illustration
This illustration shows one possible scenario for the hot, rocky exoplanet called 55 Cancri e, which is nearly two times as wide as Earth. New data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope show that the planet has extreme temperature swings from one side to the other and a possible reason for this...
HD 80606b Light Curve
Astronomers watched an exoplanet called HD 80606b heat up and cool off during its sizzling-hot orbit around its star. The results are shown in this data plot from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
HD 80606b
Simulated Atmosphere of a Hot Gas Giant
The turbulent atmosphere of a hot, gaseous planet known as HD 80606b is shown in this simulation based on data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
IDCS J1426
Galaxy Cluster IDCS J1426
Astronomers have made the most detailed study yet of an extremely massive young galaxy cluster using three of NASA's Great Observatories.
M83
'Eta twins' in Galaxy M83
Hubble view of M83 -- the only galaxy known to host two potential "Eta twins." Its high rate of star formation increases the chances of finding massive stars that have recently undergone an Eta Carinae-like outburst. Bottom: Hubble data showing the locations of M83's Eta twins.
G106.63
Bow Shocks in Space G106.63
Bow shocks thought to mark the paths of massive, speeding stars are highlighted in this image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.
G054.32
Bow Shocks in Space G054.32
Bow shocks thought to mark the paths of massive, speeding stars are highlighted in this image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
G050.35
Bow Shocks in Space G050.35
Bow shocks thought to mark the paths of massive, speeding stars are highlighted in this image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
HAT-P-12b
Artist's Impression of "Hot Jupiter" Exoplanets
This image shows an artist's impression of the 10 hot Jupiter exoplanets studied using the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. From top left to lower left, these planets are WASP-12b, WASP-6b, WASP-31b, WASP-39b, HD 189733b, HAT-P-12b, WASP-17b, WASP-19b, HAT-P-1b and HD 209458b.
Cool Star Marked by Long-Lived Storm
This illustration shows a cool star, called W1906+40, marked by a raging storm near one of its poles. The storm is thought to be similar to the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. Scientists discovered it using NASA's Kepler and Spitzer space telescopes.
Swarm of Comets
This illustration shows a star behind a shattered comet which blocked the light of the star as they passed in front of it in 2011 and 2013. The comets are thought to be traveling around the star in a very long, eccentric orbit.
MOO J1142+1527
A Giant Gathering of Galaxies
The galaxy cluster called MOO J1142+1527 can be seen here as it existed when light left it 8.5 billion years ago. The red galaxies at the center of the image make up the heart of the galaxy cluster.
SpARCS1049+56
What Feeds the Beast in a Galaxy Cluster? (annotated)
A massive cluster of galaxies, called SpARCS1049+56, can be seen in this multi-wavelength view from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. At the middle of the picture is the largest, central member of the family of galaxies (upper right red dot of central pair). Unlike other central...
SpARCS1049+56
What Feeds the Beast in a Galaxy Cluster?
A massive cluster of galaxies, called SpARCS1049+56, can be seen in this multi-wavelength view from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. At the middle of the picture is the largest, central member of the family of galaxies (upper right red dot of central pair). Unlike other central...
Twelve Years of Spitzer Images
This montage displays an image released from each year of operation of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Now celebrating it's 12th anniversary, Spitzer was first launched into space on August 25, 2003, from Cape Canaveral, Florida and is still going strong.
Monkey Head Nebula
Seeing Beyond the 'Monkey Head'
Scores of baby stars shrouded by dust are revealed in this infrared image of the star-forming region NGC 2174, as seen by NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope. Some of the clouds in the region resemble the face of a monkey in visible-light images, hence the nebula's nickname: the "Monkey Head."
HD 219134 b
Infrared Light Curve for Transiting Exoplanet HD 219134b
This plot captures the nearest known rocky exoplanet, dubbed HD 219134b, in the act of passing in front of its star. The data were obtained in infrared light using NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope.
HD 219134 b
Location of Nearest Rocky Exoplanet Known
This sky map shows the location of the star HD 219134, host to the nearest confirmed rocky planet found to date outside of our solar system.
HD 219134 b
Little Black Spot on the Star Today
This artist's conception shows the silhouette of a rocky planet, dubbed HD 219134b, as it passes in front of its star. At 21 light-years away, the planet is the closest outside of our solar system that can be seen crossing, or transiting, its star.
HD 219134 b
Hot, Rocky World
This artist's rendition shows one possible appearance for the planet HD 219134b, the nearest rocky exoplanet found to date outside our solar system. The planet is 1.6 times the size of Earth, and whips around its star in just three days.
Cosmic Sparklers
This new composite image of stellar cluster NGC 1333 combines X-rays from NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory (pink); infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope (red); and optical data from the Digitized Sky Survey and the National Optical Astronomical Observatories Mayall 4-meter telescope on...
PG 0010+280
Hypothetical 'Rejuvenated' Planets
This artist's concept shows a hypothetical "rejuvenated" planet -- a gas giant that has reclaimed its youthful infrared glow. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope found tentative evidence for one such planet around a dead star, or white dwarf, called PG 0010+280 (depicted as white dot in illustration).
How to Make a Helium Atmosphere
This diagram illustrates how hypothetical helium atmospheres might form. These would be on planets about the mass of Neptune, or smaller, which orbit tightly to their stars, whipping around in just days.
Helium-Shrouded Planets
Planets having atmospheres rich in helium may be common in our galaxy, according to a new theory based on data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
55 Cancri e
Volcanic Activity on Super Earth 55 Cancri e
This artists impression of super-Earth 55 Cancri e shows a hot partially-molten surface of the planet before and after possible volcanic activity on the day side.
OGLE-2014-BLG-0124L
Infographic: Finding Planets With Microlensing
This infographic explains how NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope can be used in tandem with a telescope on the ground to measure the distances to planets discovered using the "microlensing" technique.
OGLE-2014-BLG-0124L
Map of Exoplanets Found in Our Galaxy
Astronomers have discovered one of the most distant planets known, a gas giant about 13,000 light-years from Earth, called OGLE-2014-BLG-0124L. The planet was discovered using a technique called microlensing, and the help of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the Optical Gravitational Lensing...
OGLE-2014-BLG-0124L
Time Delay in Microlensing Event
This plot shows data obtained from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment, or OGLE, telescope located in Chile, during a "microlensing" event. Microlensing events occur when one star passes another, and the gravity of the foreground star causes the distant...
Embryonic Star's Outburst
Infrared images from instruments at Kitt Peak National Observatory (left) and NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope document the outburst of HOPS 383, a young protostar in the Orion star-formation complex. The background is a wide view of the region taken from a Spitzer four-color infrared mosaic.
W33
Finding 'Yellowballs' in our Milky Way
Volunteers using the web-based Milky Way Project brought star-forming features nicknamed "yellowballs" to the attention of researchers, who later showed that they are a phase of massive star formation.
Evolution of a Massive Star
This series of images show three evolutionary phases of massive star formation, as pictured in infrared images from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
Flame Nebula
The Flame Nebula
The famous Horsehead nebula takes on a ghostly appearance in this newly released image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
Flame Nebula
Horsehead Nebula Disappears in Infrared Light
The famous Horsehead nebula seen in visible-light images (inset) looks quite different when viewed in infrared light, as seen in this newly released image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
NGC 2207
Galactic Gathering Gives Sparkling Light Display
At this time of year, holiday parties often include festive lights. When galaxies get together, they also may be surrounded by a spectacular light show.
NGC 3226
A Flood of Gas
A new feature in the evolution of galaxies has been captured in this image of galactic interactions.
NGC 3226
A Flood of Gas Annotated
A new feature in the evolution of galaxies has been captured in this image of galactic interactions.
Sibling Star Systems? Dust Structures Suggest So
This diagram illustrates two similar star systems, HD 95086 and HR 8799. Evidence from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has pointed to the presence of two dust belts in each system.
NGC 1291
Ring of Stellar Fire
A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, taken in infrared light, shows where the action is taking place in galaxy NGC 1291. The outer ring, colored red in this view, is filled with new stars that are igniting and heating up dust that glows with infrared light. The stars in the central...
NGC 1291
Galactic Wheel of Life Shines in Infrared
The ghostly structures highlighting the peculiar patterns of orbiting stars in the center of the galaxy NGC 1292 stand out vividly in this specially-processed image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. By making detailed observations of the galaxy in infrared light, astronomers can tease out the...
Sextans A
Sluggish Galaxy Grows Stars Slowly
A small galaxy, called Sextans A, is shown here in a multi-wavelength mosaic captured by the European Space Agency's Herschel mission, in which NASA is a partner, along with NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Jansky Very Large Array observatory near...
A Sunny Outlook for 'Weather' on Exoplanets
Scientists were excited to discover clear skies on a relatively small planet, about the size of Neptune, using the combined power of NASA's Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes.
A Sunny Outlook for 'Weather' on Exoplanets
Scientists were excited to discover clear skies on a relatively small planet, about the size of Neptune, using the combined power of NASA's Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes.
Seeing Starlight Through a Planet's Rim
A Neptune-size planet with a clear atmosphere is shown crossing in front of its star in this artist's depiction. Such crossings, or transits, are observed by telescopes like NASA's Hubble and Spitzer to glean information about planets' atmospheres.
Transmission Spectrum of HAT-P-11b
A plot of the transmission spectrum for exoplanet HAT-P-11b, with data from NASA's Kepler, Hubble and Spitzer observatories combined. The results show a robust detection of water absorption in the Hubble data. Transmission spectra of selected atmospheric models are plotted for comparison.
A Sunny Outlook for 'Weather' on Exoplanets
Scientists were excited to discover clear skies on a relatively small planet, about the size of Neptune, using the combined power of NASA's Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes.
COSMOS Field
Take a Splash Into the Cosmos
Millions of galaxies populate the patch of sky known as the COSMOS field, short for Cosmic Evolution Survey, a portion of which is shown here. Even the smallest dots in this image are galaxies, some up to 12 billion light-years away.
SPLASH Project Fishes for Galaxies
Scientists "fish" for galaxies in this playful, digitally altered photo. The researchers are part of a program called SPLASH, which is using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to dive deep into the cosmic sea and find some of the most remote galaxies known.
