The latest specialist equipment from the Gemini Observatory in Chile has used infrared imaging to capture striking images of the Swan Nebula situated around 6,000 light years from Earth. The second-generation FLAMINGOS-2 camera has also snapped unique high-resolution images from the heart of a spiral galaxy as well as a ring of star formation. FLAMINGOS-2 is spectroscopic, which means it has been designed to specifically study and record matter and radiation energy in space. Scroll down for video This FLAMINGOS-2 image shows part of the Swan Nebula, called M17, situated around 5,200 light years from Earth. It shows ultraviolet radiation streaming from young hot stars that forms a region of dust and gas. M17 is found in the constellation Sagittarius and is one of the biggest star-forming region's in the local galaxy
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High-definition images of galaxies captured by FLAMINGOS-2 instrument
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It is the latest equipment to be tested at the Gemini Observatory in Chile
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The camera can record and study changes in radiation heat and matter
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Plans are to make the instrument available to astronomers by 2014
There are only two small regions neither telescope can capture near the celestial poles: @placeholder cannot point north of declination +89 degrees which Gemini South can't point south of -89 degrees.