Using Infrared Light to Survey the Milky Way Galaxy

Observatories with smaller views of space have provided exquisite images of other galaxies, revealing complex structures. But studying our own galaxy’s anatomy is surprisingly difficult. The plane of the Milky Way covers such a large area on the sky that studying it in detail can take a very long time. Astronomers also must peer through thick dust that obscures distant starlight. Infrared light can pass through that dust and is a key tool for learning about the far side of our galaxy. Music Credit: “Time Shift Equalibrium“ from Universal Production Music Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scott Wiessinger (KBR Wyle Services, LLC): Producer Ashley Balzer (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Science Writer This video can be freely shared and downloaded at While the video in its entirety can be shared without permission, the music and some individual imagery may have been obtained through permission and may not be excised or remixed in other products. Specific details on such imagery may be found here: For more information on NASA’s media guidelines, visit If you liked this video, subscribe to the NASA Goddard YouTube channel: Follow NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center · Instagram · Twitter · Facebook: · Flickr