The first spectacular views of the sky from WISE

Bad Astronomy
By Phil Plait
Feb 17, 2010 9:08 PMNov 19, 2019 10:00 PM

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NASA's fledgling Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) opened its eyes a few weeks ago, and astronomers have just released the first of a torrent of spectacular images from it. Since its launch last December, WISE has been surveying the sky, taking data continuously as it spins on its axis and orbits the Earth. A few images have been released before, but these new ones are fully processed, scientifically-calibrated, and gorgeous. I have to start with this one, because it's just so pretty! Behold Comet C/2007 Q3, aka Siding Spring:

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