Currently, sci.esa.int is under review and not being updated. For the latest information and news from ESA science missions and scientific results, please visit esa.int. For a comprehensive overview of ESA’s Science Programme and its missions, please refer to science.esa.int. For in-depth technical information aimed at ESA's scientific communities, you may also wish to consult cosmos.esa.int.

Asset Publisher

Back Wide-field Image of the Southern Milky Way

Wide-field Image of the Southern Milky Way


Date: 02 October 2007
Satellite: Hubble Space Telescope
Depicts: Milky Way, Southern Cross, alpha Centauri, Carina Nebula
Copyright: A. Fujii

A wide-field image of the Milky Way stretching across the southern sky. The beautiful Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) is seen at the right of the image glowing in red. It is within this part of the Milky Way that NGC 3603 resides, just to the left of the Carina Nebula in this view. At the centre of the image is the constellation of the Southern Cross. The bright yellow/white star at the left of the image is alpha Centauri, in fact a system of three stars, at a distance of about 4.4 light-years.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
16-Jun-2026 01:59 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/WEqLqKW

Latest Selection

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation