September 2, 2011 - WISE Discovers Baby Galaxies in the Nearby Universe

This image from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, shows the galaxy named SBS 0335-052, which is in a class of galaxies called blue compact dwarfs (for their appearance in visible light). The galaxy actually appears red in the WISE image because it contains dust glowing brightly at temperatures lower than that of the stars also visible in the image. SBS 0335-052 has one of the lowest levels of heavy elements in any galaxy currently known.

This image was made from observations by all four infrared detectors aboard WISE. Blue and cyan (blue-green) represent infrared light at wavelengths of 3.4 and 4.6 microns, which is primarily light from stars. Green and red represent light at 12 and 22 microns, which is primarily light from warm dust.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/WISE-Team