The same mosaics from
this view except using the 8 micron data for luminosity, and the other three channels for color. This significantly reduces the starlight signal, though not totally. Still makes it much easier to see the dust and emission nebulas.
Note that much of the nebulosity is in the foreground as we view the Milky Way's center through one of the arms of the Milky Way. It is difficult to discern or even measure the distance to each piece, but generally, the larger structures that extend far away from flat central plane are foreground objects, while thinner, smaller pieces that remain close to the plane are closer to the core. Many of these smaller objects are overlapped and obscured by mid and foreground objects.
Luminosity: 8.0 µm (IRAC4)
Red: 5.8 µm (IRAC3)
Green: 4.5 µm (IRAC2)
Blue: 3.6 µm (IRAC1)
The image is presented in galactic coordinates, with north up in that regard.
