DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Gaia space telescope captured this breathtaking star map of the Milkyway Galaxy

Apr 30, 2018 by Chad Verzosa Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The European Space Agency (ESA) just released the second star map taken by Gaia space agency’s one-billion-pixel camera. It contains 1.7 billion stars in our galaxy and is the richest star catalog to date according to the agency.

Launched in 2013, Gaia’s mission is to map the Milkyway Galaxy. Its first star map was released in 2016 and included the precise coordinates and movements of 2 million stars. Just a few days ago, the space telescope produced an updated galactic census that’s even more expansive. The new version now reaches celestial bodies up to 8,000 lightyears away, including 14,000 asteroids.

ESA states that the information from Gaia is essential for investigating the formation and the evolution of our home galaxy. When asked about Gaia’s new release, mission manager Fred Jansen said that “scientists will be busy with this data for many years, and we are ready to be surprised by the avalanche o discoveries that will unlock the secrets of our galaxy.”

Even if you’re not a scientist, exploring Gaia’s website alone will pique your curiosity and keep you busy. Once you download the open-source Gaia Sky, you’ll gain access to the telescope’s 3D map and data. The VR rendition of the Milkyway can be viewed on your smartphone or laptop. However, the best way to experience it is through a headset.

For a quick preview, you can also watch the 360-degree view of Gaia’s sky in this short video from ESA below:

If you find this short clip impressive, just wait until you see the universe in virtual reality.

[Gaia via digitaltrends]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

This breathtaking colorful meteor was captured in a single photo Hubble Telescope Captures Space Smiley Default ThumbnailAmateur Astrophotographer And Hubble Space Telescope Join Forces To Snap M106 This is how scientists colorize Hubble space telescope images

Filed Under: news Tagged With: ESA, gaia, Galaxy, stars, Telescope

About Chad Verzosa

Chad Verzosa is a freelance writer and photographer currently based in Florida. When not traveling, he likes to spend his time printing pictures in the darkroom.

« 9 compositional tips to help you shoot landscapes like a pro
Watch the new VR horror series ‘Campfire Creepers’ for free »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Sony launches DSC-HX99 retinal projection kit for the visually impaired
  • DIYP Quiz: AI or photo?
  • Slowing down everyday activities to make one second last for one hour
  • This unique camera gives a clay pigeon’s view of the world – until it’s blasted out of the sky
  • This photo of glacier on Mars shows hint of water on the Red Planet

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy