Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The above image, in representative colors, is a projection of the entire infrared sky created from years of observations by the robot spacecraft COBE . Our Solar System is evidenced most prominently by the S-shaped blue sash called zodiacal light , created by small pieces of rock and dust orbiting between the Sun and Jupiter . Our Galaxy is evidenced by the bright band of light that crossed the middle of the image, created mostly by dust that laces the disk of our Milky Way . Close inspection of the image reveals that the background is not completely dark, indicating that our Universe itself provides a diffuse glow , created by the dust left over from the star formation throughout the Universe .
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