The European Southern Observatory's (ESO) VISTA survey telescope has taken new photos that that reveal the well-known Trifid Nebula in a new and ghostly light.

Astronomers used infrared light to can see right through the dust-filled central parts of the Milky Way and spot many previously hidden objects. Researchers examining images of the Trifid Nebula found two unknown Cepheid variable stars, objects much brighter than our Sun that brighten and fade through time, ESO said.

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"This pair of stars, which the astronomers think are the brightest members of a cluster of stars, are the only Cepheid variables detected so far that are close to the central plane, but on the far side of the galaxy. They brighten and fade over a period of 11 days," ESO representatives said in a statement.

Astronomers believe the newly-recognized stars lie around 37,000 light years from Earth, and roughly 10,000 light years past the central core of the galaxy. The Trifid Nebula itself sits just 5,200 light years away from the Earth.

Because the two Cepheid variable stars are so similar, astronomers believe the objects may be the two brightest members of an unknown cluster of stars. Attempted detection of other members of the group was not successful.

In the new image, a spectacular new panorama comes into view. The thick dust clouds in the disk of our galaxy that absorb visible light allow through most of the infrared light VISTA can see. Rather than the view being blocked, VISTA can see far beyond Trifid and detect objects on the other side of the galaxy that have never been seen before.

The Trifid Nebula is also known as M20 and is a popular target for amateur astronomers.

Discovery of the Cepheid variable stars beyond the Trifid Nebula was published in the journal, Astrophysical Journal Letters.

TagsESO Telescope, Stars, Infrared light, Trifid Nebula, Milky Way, Cepheid variable stars, space exploration. European Southern Observatory