NEBULAE · 2011-09-28
The Pacman Nebula
The Pacman Nebula combines high-energy X-rays with infrared observations of the same region.
What to observe
- Isolate the purple structures from the red, green and blue field.
- Look for places where X-ray and infrared features coincide.
Explanation
The source combines Chandra X-ray data with Spitzer infrared observations of the star cluster and nebula.
Color method
X-rays are mapped to purple; Spitzer infrared observations are mapped across red, green and blue.
Why it matters
A composite can compare different energy regimes without forcing them into separate images.
Sources and credits
Asset credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/S.Wolk; IR: NASA/JPL/CfA/S.Wolk / JPL