Infrared/visible light comparison of views of the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253)

This image compares infrared and visible views of the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253). The visible light image (lower) was taken with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at La Silla in Chile (eso0902). The new infrared image (upper) was taken with the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. In the infrared, the rich dust clouds in the galaxy’s spiral arms become nearly transparent and a whole host of cool red stars that are otherwise invisible can be seen.