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Galaxies

M81 and M82

As each slider bar is manipulated, the view transitions from visible light to infrared light. In visible light: The galaxies are of similar brightness in visible light. In infrared light: The starburst in M82 is blindingly bright in the infrared. As each slider bar is manipulated, the view transitions from visible light to infrared light. In visible light: The galaxies are of similar brightness in visible light. In infrared light: The starburst in M82 is blindingly bright in the infrared.
Visible: Default View
Infrared:
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M81 and M82

The M81 and M82 galaxies lie close to one another in the sky but are strikingly different, as revealed in the infrared view. The blindingly bright glow of M82 in the infrared vastly outshines its neighbor, due to the phenomenally strong rate of star formation in its core. Such activity is more evident when you can see the two objects on the same brightness scale, as shown here.
Visible: The galaxies are of similar brightness in visible light.
Infrared: The starburst in M82 is blindingly bright in the infrared.
CREDITS: Visible: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA. Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA.