The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has released a 9-gigapixel photo of the Milky Way galaxy.
The photo was captured with the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA), and showcases over 84 million stars According to Tom's Guide, the ESO combined information from information from six surveys to compile the picture.
On its official site, the ESO bills itself as "the pre-eminent intergovernmental science and technology organisation in astronomy. It carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities for astronomy to enable important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research."
Lead author of the study Roberto Saito states, "By observing in detail the myriads of stars surrounding the center of the Milky Way we can learn a lot more about the formation and evolution of not only our galaxy, but also spiral galaxies in general."
Co-author Dante Minniti adds, "Observations of the bulge of the Milky Way are very hard because it is obscured by dust. To peer into the heart of the galaxy, we need to observe in infrared light, which is less affected by the dust."
Fox News reports that the researchers used the picture to craft a color-magnitude diagram that will help gauge star temperature, mass and age.
"Each star occupies a particular spot in this diagram at any moment during its lifetime, Where it falls depends on how bright it is and how hot it is. Since the new data gives us a snapshot of all the stars in one go, we can now make a census of all the stars in this part of the Milky Way," said Minniti.
The study was originally published in the scientific journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
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