This new infrared-based image of the center of the Milky Way Galaxy is one of the most detailed yet.

It was taken by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescope, an airborne observatory, which flies around on a Boeing 747SP jetliner.

Astronomers will use this image as a guide to direct future imaging projects taken up by the James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA/SOFIA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/Herschel

A stunning new panoramic image of the Milky Way is revealing all sorts of fresh insight.

The image shows the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, stretching about 600 light-years across, and reveals never-before-seen details of the Arches cluster, which is densest star cluster in our galaxy. And that bright white splotch in the middle of the image? That's the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, which is illuminated on all sides.

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"We are filling in the most active star-forming regions of the galactic center that were missing in previous images,” astronomer Matt Hankins said in a statement.

It was taken by the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescope, which sits on a Boeing 747SP jetliner. By flying at 40,000 feet up, the airborne observatory can bypass many of the adverse atmospheric conditions that challenge Earth-based telescopes.

The SOFIA telescope bay on board a modified Boeing 747, 2010. ROBYN BECK Getty Images

The image is a composition of infrared data that was captured over the course of eight different SOFIA flights and then woven together with additional infrared data from other telescopes, like those at the Herschel and Spitzer observatories.

Ultimately, super detailed images like this help astronomers focus future imaging efforts. For example, astronomers will likely use this image to guide the James Webb Telescope once it launches and becomes operational.

Source: Caltech

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