Hubble image archive

Visible and Infrared Comparison of NGC 2174

This graphic compares visible-light and infrared views of the same detailed area in the star-forming nebula NGC 2174 from the Hubble Space Telescope. On the left is a visible-light image made by WFPC2 in 2001 and on the right is an image made by the WFC3 infrared camera. Infrared...

Date
Jan 1, 2014
Mission
Hubble Space Telescope
Archive ID
hubblesite-images-2014-18-3338-image
By

This graphic compares visible-light and infrared views of the same detailed area in the star-forming nebula NGC 2174 from the Hubble Space Telescope. On the left is a visible-light image made by WFPC2 in 2001 and on the right is an image made by the WFC3 infrared camera. Infrared light penetrates more dust and gas than visible light, allowing main details to become visible. A jet of material from a newly forming star is visible in one of the pillars, just above and left of center in the right-hand image. Several galaxies are seen in the infrared view, much more distant than the columns of dust and gas.

Credits

NASA and ESA;
Acknowledgment: The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) and J. Hester

Image Details

About The Object
Object NameNGC 2174, Monkey Head Nebula, Sharpless Sh2-252
Object DescriptionStar-forming Region
R.A. Position06h 9m 10.0s
Dec. Position20° 27' 20.0"
ConstellationOrion
Distance6,400 light-years (2,000 parsecs)
About The Data
Data DescriptionThe Hubble data are from proposal : Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/AURA: Z. Levay (PI; STScI), K. Noll (GSFC), and M. Mutchler, J. Mack, C. Christian, M. Livio, L. Frattare, J. Sokol, and S. Meyett (STScI). High-level science products for these data are available from the
InstrumentHST>WFPC (left) and HST>WFC3/IR (right)
Exposure Dates2001 (left) and 2014 (right)

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Source

Image and source material are credited to the official mission archive linked below.

View on NASA.gov

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