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Infrared Astronomy

The study of infrared energy produced by astronomical objects. Infrared is a form of energy with a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. It is produced by relatively cool objects, such as planetary systems and clouds of interstellar dust. Earth’s atmosphere absorbs most infrared energy, so it is best studied with telescopes in space or aboard high-altitude balloons or aircraft.

Featured Images

Artist's concept of Spitzer Space Telescope

Saying Goodbye January 30, 2020
Infrared view of Lambda Centauri Nebula

A WISE spacecraft December 14, 2019
The star system Apep, which may detonate as a gamma-ray burst

Spooky Star August 15, 2019
Infrared view of a stellar nursery in Cepheus

Busy Nursery June 3, 2019
W40 stellar nursery

Delicate Butterfly March 28, 2019

Glowing Planets August 25, 2018
Combined optical, infrared view of the Crab Nebula

Colorful Crab April 19, 2018
Infrared image of Alpha Camelopardalis

Plowing Through the Galaxy January 25, 2017
Artist's concept of 2016 WF9

Heading In January 1, 2017
Cassini infrared view of Titan

Through the Smog July 15, 2016
Infrared view of the Orion Nebula

Brilliant Nursery July 12, 2016

Cloud Stripes June 26, 2016
Infrared image of a bow shock in front of a fast star

Shocking Star January 7, 2016
Infrared view of the interstellar medium

Filling the Void April 9, 2015
Infrared view of Serpens South star cluster and nebula

Unmasking Hidden Stars June 24, 2014
WISE view of the Vela Nebula in Cygnus

Glowing Civilizations? April 1, 2014
Space-based infrared view of the Rosette Nebula

Ruffled Rose February 28, 2014
Close-up view of the California Nebula in infrared light.

California Nebula January 25, 2014
Artist's concept of Spitzer Space Telescope

Heat Seeker August 23, 2013

Saturnian Heat Rays August 21, 2013
Visible light (left) and infrared view of the dark molecular cloud Barnard 68

Looking into the Darkness July 7, 2013
Starbirth region on the edge of the Milky Way galaxy

Starbirth June 6, 2013
Visible- and infrared-light views of Orion

Double Vision January 25, 2013
Infrared image of the star Fomalhaut (center) and surround debris ring

Messy Building Zone September 18, 2012
Space-based infrared view of the Large Magellanic Cloud

Busy Neighbor March 20, 2012
Newborn stars in the Orion Nebula

Bright Babies March 1, 2012
Infrared view of the spiral galaxy IC 342

Tangled Galaxy January 22, 2012
Infrared view of starbirth in the vast nebula complex Cygnus X

Busy Nursery January 13, 2012
Six Spiral Galaxies from European Southern Observatory

Galaxies Galore October 29, 2010
Infrared view of Comet Hartley 2 from WISE

Heading for a Rendezvous October 6, 2010
A hot, massive star 'exhales' a breath of oxygen in this recent image from WISE.

Breath of Life June 22, 2010
Rings and Moons

Rings and Moons June 4, 2010
Big Blue Planet

Big Blue Planet June 1, 2010
Starbirth Factories

Starbirth Factories May 24, 2010
A "family" of young stars shows off in this combined infrared and X-ray view of

Big Family May 14, 2010

Cold Fingers March 19, 2010

Starry Neighbor February 26, 2010

First Snapshot January 7, 2010

Radio Programs

WISE Getting “wise” to the infrared sky December 14, 2019

Messy Births The messy process of making planets October 24, 2019

Moon and Companions A star’s unseeable brightness July 12, 2019

Vega Stirring up dust around a bright star June 14, 2019

Stretching Out The universe stretches out December 10, 2018

Spitzer Space Telescope New targets for a space telescope August 25, 2018

IRS 7 A giant in the heart of the Milky Way July 10, 2018

Evaporating Galaxy A galaxy that’s ripping itself apart March 23, 2016

WFIRST Unwrapping a Christmas present March 17, 2016

James Webb Telescope Looking for the first galaxies March 16, 2016

Moon and Saturn Scoping out a giant ring February 2, 2016

Tau Ceti Visiting a dusty star system — after this. January 4, 2016