Astronomers Discover an Infrared Background Glow in the Universe

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After the infrared light from our solar system and galaxy has been removed, what remains is a uniform cosmic infrared background. The line across the center is an artifact from removal of galactic light. The DIRBE team reports detection of this cosmic background light also at 140 micrometers, and has set limits to its brightness at eight other infrared wavelengths from 1.25 to 100 micrometers.

Image Type: Astronomical

Credit: Michael Hauser (STScI), the COBE/DIRBE Science Team, and NASA

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Montage Image: COBE's Infrared View of the Universe Image Type: Astronomical PRC1998-01 COBE's Infrared View of the Universe: Observed Sky Image Type: Astronomical COBE's Infrared View of the Universe: Zodiacal Light Removed Image Type: Astronomical

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