Mapping the Milky Way
Astronomers have created the most detailed infrared map of the , featuring over 1.5 billion objects, using the VISTA telescope at 's in over 13 years.
This map, comprising 200,000 images, covers an area of the sky equivalent to 8,600 full moons and includes ten times more objects than a previous map from 2012.
Scientific Insights and Future Prospects
The project has led to over 300 scientific articles and promises decades of further exploration, with plans to utilize new instruments for more detailed studies.
Discoveries include tracking hypervelocity stars and measuring distances using variable stars, providing a 3D view of the Milky Way's inner regions previously hidden by dust.