NASA has combined optical observations by the Chandra X-ray Telescope and astrophotographer Michael Clow to present a spectacular image that captures the Christmas spirit from deep space. The star cluster, called NGC 2264 and dubbed the “Christmas Tree Cluster”, is about 2,500 light-years from Earth and is part of the Milky Way Galaxy. Here are the details of the Christmas tree in space…

NASA’s “Cosmic Christmas Tree” photo: The universe continues to mesmerize with its beauty

First of all, we can say that this cosmic formation is reminiscent of a Christmas tree, with enchanting clouds of green gas and stars shining in a variety of colors. Most of these stars are between one and five million years old. Compared to the Sun’s five billion years, these stars are a bit like “newborn babies”. Here is the full image of the Christmas tree cluster in space:

NASA shared images not only of NGC 2264, but also of another star cluster called NGC 602. This cluster is located at the edge of the Small Magellanic Cloud, about 200,000 light-years away. The image of NGC 602 reveals a structure that looks like a Christmas wreath. Some of the “lights” in the image are not just stars; we can also see light from galaxies beyond the cluster.

The image was created thanks to a collaboration between the Chandra X-ray Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. While Chandra highlights young stars in red hues, the Webb Telescope’s infrared observations reveal the orange and blue hues of dust clouds.

These images are not just visual, but also provide important information about star formation and galaxy evolution. By combining data from different telescopes, it helps us see deeper into the secrets of the universe.

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