The Universe is Yours: NASA Releases Sky-Mapping Data

NASA's Pasadena-based (Caltech) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) left us all a little gift this week -- the first batch of data and images collected by an infrared satellite that captured the most detailed scan of the whole sky.

Data and images captured by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) during the first three months of 2010 can now be pored over by anyone with access to the internet.

The catalog includes millions of stars, galaxies, nebulae and other celestial wonders and can be searched by coordinate or name (for example: Sirius).

Can't wait to play with it? Here's a guide to get you started.

Check out multimedia galleries, video and more here.