Planck WMAP comparison

This image shows the Cosmic Microwave Background as seen by ESA's Planck satellite (upper right half) and by its predecessor, NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (lower left half). With greater resolution and sensitivity over nine frequency channels, Planck has delivered the most precise image so far of the Cosmic Microwave Background.

The Planck image is based on data collected over the first 15.5 months of the mission; the WMAP image is based on nine years of data.