Flight Through the Orion Nebula in Infrared Light (Dome Version)

This version of "Flight Through the Orion Nebula in Infrared Light" has been rendered onto a hemispherical format (azimuthal equidistant projection) for use in planetarium domes. The black circular mask in the images denotes the edge of the hemispherical dome projection. The video is for preview purposes. Planetariums should download the frames and the audio files (links below for the files).

This visualization explores the Orion Nebula as seen in infrared-light observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope. This movie is designed to be compared and contrasted against the companion movie using visible-light observations from the Hubble Space Telescope.

As the camera flies into the star-forming region, it reveals a glowing gaseous landscape that has been illuminated and carved by the high-energy radiation and strong stellar winds from the massive hot stars in the central cluster. The infrared observations generally show cool temperature gas at a deep layer that shows the full bowl shape of the nebula. In addition, the infrared showcases many faint stars that shine primarily at longer wavelengths.

Credits:
Video: NASA, ESA, Frank Summers (STScI), Greg T. Bacon (STScI), Zolt G. Levay (STScI), Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Leah Hustak (STScI), Massimo Robberto (STScI), Mario Gennaro (STScI), Robert L. Hurt (IPAC)

Acknowledgment: Robert Gendler

Music: Antonín Dvořák's "Serenade for Strings Op 22 in E Major larghetto,” performed by the Advent Chamber Orchestra, CC BY-SA