The Spitzer Space Telescope was launched in August 2003. During its 2.5-year mission, Spitzer will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space between wavelengths of 3 and 180 microns. The Spitzer Image Gallery contains several of the highest resolution infrared images to date. To learn more about the Spitzer mission visit the Spitzer Space Telescope home page.

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope which was launched in April 2003 to observe galaxies in ultraviolet light. The GALEX image gallery contains many of the highest resolution ultraviolet images taken to date. To learn more about the GALEX mission visit the GALEX home page.

The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), which began taking data in 1997, is a ground based survey which scanned the entire sky in three near-infrared bands. The 2MASS Gallery includes several spectacular images of galaxies as well as regions within our own Galaxy, including portions of the Galactic Plane and the Orion Nebula. To learn more about 2MASS visit the 2MASS home page.

The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was launched by the European Space Agency in Nov 1995. A separate gallery exists for each of its four instruments: The ISOPHOT Gallery (photometer), The ISOCAM Gallery (camera) The ISO-SWS Gallery (Short Wavelength Spectrometer) and The ISO-LWS Gallery (Long Wave Spectrometer). To learn more about the ISO mission visit the the ISO home page.

The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) was launched in 1996. During its 10 months of operation, MSX gathered a vast amount of data on the infrared emission from the gas and dust which permeates the universe. The MSX Gallery contains wonderful images of the galactic center. To learn more about MSX visit the MSX home page.

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) was launched in 1983 and scanned more than 96 percent of the sky in four infrared bands centered at 12, 25, 60 and 100 microns. IRAS increased the number of cataloged astronomical sources by almost 50%, detecting about 250,000 infrared sources. The IRAS Gallery includes all sky images as well as several images of molecular clouds and galaxies. To learn more about the IRAS mission visit the IRAS home page