If our eyes were infrared-sensitive, we would see a sight much like this in the prominent winter constellation Orion. Although the Great Nebula is spectacular, it is a relatively small part of an immense cloud of gas and dust that forms one of the largest stellar nurseries in our galaxy.
Because most infrared radiation is absorbed in the EarthΓÇÖs atmosphere, instruments onboard an orbiting satellite called the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) were necessary to create this image. The warmest features, stars, appear as blue-white dots. Although the stars that are brightest in visible light are not necessarily brightest in infrared, OrionΓÇÖs familiar shape is still recognizable. Betelgeuse, however,
