Above is an image captured from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope. The image shows the reflection nebula IRAS 12116-6001, which is located approximately 229 light years away from Earth. A reflection nebula simply reflects light from nearby stars. Epsilon Crucis is the bright blue star on the right side of the image.
The colors used in this image represent specific wavelengths of infrared light. The blue color of Epsilon Crucis represents light emitted at 3.4 and 4.6 microns. The green-colored star seen beside Epsilon Crucis is emitting light at 12 microns. This star is IRAS 12194-6007, a carbon star that is near the end of its lifecycle. Since the infrared wavelengths emitted by this star are longer than those from Epsilon Crucis, it is cooler. The green and red colors seen in the reflection nebula represent 12- and 22-micron light coming from the nebula’s dust grains warmed by nearby stars.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/WISE Team
