Composite infrared image of the central portion of galaxy M82, from SOFIA's First Light flight, at wavelengths of 20 (blue), 32 (green) and 37 microns (red).
M82_labeledHR
Composite infrared image of the central portion of galaxy M82, from SOFIA’s First Light flight, at wavelengths of 20 (blue), 32 (green) and 37 microns (red). The middle inset image shows the same portion of the galaxy at visual wavelengths. The infrared image sees past the stars and dust clouds apparent in the visible-wavelength image into the star-forming heart of the galaxy. The long dimension of the inset boxes is about 5400 light years.May 27, 2010
(Visible image: N. A. Sharp/NOAO/AURA/NSF; Infrared image: NASA/SOFIA/USRA/FORCAST Team)