The first images captured by a Colorado-built spacecraft feature a new comet, a star-forming cloud, a cluster of far-flung galaxies and the grand Andromeda galaxy.
The Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer has been scanning the sky for a month since its December launch by United Launch Alliance of Centennial.
Scientists say the first images give a tantalizing taste of what the mission will reveal.
“We’re really excited,” said Joan Howard, WISE project manager for spacecraft builder Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. of Boulder.
About 100 Ball employees have been involved with WISE.
Ball scientists are monitoring the spacecraft’s systems to ensure they are performing as they should.
Over nine months, the $320 million NASA spacecraft will look for comets, asteroids and star nurseries with an ultrasensitive infrared telescope. Ann Schrader, The Denver Post; NASA photo
