INCREDIBLE 3-D FLY-THROUGH OF THE ORION NEBULA

The three stars of Orion's belt and the four tracing his sword are among the most recognizable signposts in the night sky. Astronomers have know for years that the middle "star" in Orion's sword--the Orion nebula--is actually an extremely dynamic system of young stars and the clouds and cocoons of gas and dust from which new stars are still being born.

The constellation Orion

clearly showing Orion's belt and sword

Credit: Mark Mathosian 

Astronomers and visualization specialists at NASA's Universe of Learning program have now gifted us with a remarkable 3-D fly-through of the Orion nebula based on visual images from the Hubble Space Telescope, infra-red images from the Spitzer Space Telescope and state-of-the-art 3-D modeling and image processing.

You can find four versions of the fly-through at this URL. They include one in visible light, one in infrared light, and shorter and longer versions combining the visible and infrared views.

 The Orion Nebula in visible and infrared light

Credit: StSci

Remember, this is not a Hollywood sci-fi mockup, but an accurate 3-D rendition using astronomy's best images of and data about the Orion Nebula. Given that the nebula is estimated to be 24 light-years across, these  video journeys are something no human could actually make; they provide a unique, almost god-like view. Sit back, turn on your speakers, and enjoy the trip.

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