Turning a Keen Eye Toward Andromeda

By: Stuart Goldman June 25, 2004 0

Fifteen 2-minute exposures using different filters were combined to create this detailed color view of a portion of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

Courtesy Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

Astronomers using the 8.2-meter Subaru telescope atop
Mauna Kea, Hawaii, demonstrated the instrument's fine gaze with a
view of the southwestern section of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). Satoshi
Miyazaki (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan), Keiichi Kodaira
(Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Japan) and Vladas Vansevicius
(Vilnius Observatory) used a camera called Suprime-Cam at the telescope's
prime focus. Suprime-Cam consists of 10 charge-coupled device (CCD)
detectors each 2,048-by-4,096 pixels in size.

The result reveals star
clusters and dark nebulae never resolved before. It also clearly shows
the difference in stellar populations. The region nearer the core
of the galaxy (to the upper left of the frame) has a yellowish hue
due to the older stars, while the outer spiral arms (lower right)
are filled with younger, bluish stars. For more information and larger
versions of the image, see the online press
release.