The Far Infrared Sky
Three major sources contribute to the
far-infrared
sky: our
Solar System, our
Galaxy, and our
Universe.
The
above recently released image, in representative colors,
is the highest resolution projection yet created of the entire
far-infrared sky (60 - 240 microns) created from years of
observations by the now-defunct robot spacecraft
COBE.
Our Solar System is evidenced most prominently by the
S-shaped blue sash called
zodiacal light,
created by small pieces of rock and
dust orbiting between the
Sun and
Jupiter.
The disk of
our Galaxy is evidenced most prominently
by the thin band of light-emitting
dust that crosses the middle of the image.
Clouds and filaments of dust in our
Milky Way
also make intricate patterns pervading most of the sky.
Close inspection of similar
images reveal that the
background is not completely dark, indicating that our
Universe itself provides a diffuse glow,
created by dust left over from the star formation
throughout the Universe.