IRAS Mosaic of the South Celestial Pole

This infrared view of the South Celestial Pole is a composite of data taken by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) at 12, 60, and 100 microns. The stars are the warmest features in the picture, and show up as small blue-white dots in the mid-infrared (12 microns). The yellow dots are galaxies, which shine brightest in the 60 micron and 100 micron wavebands. The picture is centered on the south celestial pole and extends back to -74 degrees (a portion of the Small Magellanic Cloud is visible at the top). The emission in this field is dominated by infrared "cirrus" --- interstellar dust grains heated by the surrounding stellar radiation field.