The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) has taken this image of the Andromeda Galaxy in the infrared light.

This computer-processed image of the M31 identified regions where young stars are probably forming, seen here as yellow and white areas. The image was processed from observations of the galaxy by IRAS. The colors represent the intensity of infrared radiation observed by the IRAS telescope. Blue areas represent regions of faint infrared emission, while green, yellow, orange and red areas show respectively more intense infrared emissions. Brighter areas represent regions populated by either numerous or massive young stars. Like our Galaxy, the Milky Way, Andromeda is a spiral galaxy. IRAS observations of the Andromeda galaxy represent the first extensive, high-sensitivity study of M31 in the infrared.
Credit: IRAS/IPAC

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Hartmut Frommert
Christine Kronberg
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Last Modification: May 14, 2001