Stunning images of distant stars and galaxies captured by powerful new British telescope

Stunning images of distant stars and galaxies have been captured by a powerful new British telescope.

Vista (Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy), based at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, is the world's largest telescope dedicating to mapping the sky in infrared light.

Astronomers expect it to reveal a completely new view of the southern sky.



The hidden fires of the Flame Nebula: A cluster of hot young stars can be seen thanks to a telescope mapping the sky in infrared light

One of its first images shows the Flame Nebula, a spectacular star-forming cloud of gas and dust in the constellation of Orion.



In visible light, the core of the nebula is hidden behind thick clouds of dust. But at infrared wavelengths - invisible to the naked eye - a cluster of hot young stars can be seen.



A second image shows a mosaic of two views towards the centre of the Milky Way galaxy in the constellation of Sagittarius, the Archer.



Vast numbers of stars are revealed, most of which are normally concealed behind dust clouds.



Towards the dark heart of the Milky Way: The stars in the constellation of Sagittarius can be seen through dust clouds

The third image looks out far beyond the Milky Way to photograph a family of galaxies in the constellation of Fornax. Many galaxies can be seen, including the striking barred-spiral NGC 1356 and the elliptical galaxy NGC 1399.

Vista was conceived and developed by a consortium of 18 UK universities led by Queen Mary, University of London.



It has been formally handed over to the European Southern Observatory (ESO) at the ESO headquarters in Garching, Germany.

The Fornax Cluster: This family of galaxies is beyond the Milky Way

Professor Keith Mason, chief executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), said: "This innovative telescope, designed by the UK, will give us unparalleled observing of the southern skies and will help to reveal some of the deepest secrets of the universe."

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson, said: "This outstanding example of UK kit is revealing our universe's deepest secrets. I eagerly await more images from Vista, which builds on our reputation as a world-leading centre for astronomy."