Observatories with smaller views of space have provided exquisite images of other galaxies, revealing complex structures. But studying our own galaxy’s anatomy is surprisingly difficult. The plane of the Milky Way covers such a large area on the sky that studying it in detail can take a very long time. Astronomers also must peer through thick dust that obscures distant starlight. Infrared light can pass through that dust and is a key tool for learning about the far side of our galaxy.

Music Credit: "Time Shift Equalibrium" from Universal Production Music

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Scott Wiessinger (KBR Wyle Services, LLC): Producer
Ashley Balzer (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Science Writer

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