NASA Reveals Dazzling 'Christmas Tree Cluster' in Festive Space Image

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A Cosmic Christmas Tree Illuminates the Milky Way

NASA's Chandra Observatory Captures Festive Star Cluster

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released a stunning new image of a star cluster that bears a striking resemblance to a cosmic Christmas tree. This festive celestial sight, known as the Christmas Tree Cluster, offers a spectacular holiday greeting from the depths of our galaxy.

Location and Composition of NGC 2264

The cluster, officially designated NGC 2264, is situated within our own Milky Way galaxy. It lies approximately 2,500 light

• years from Earth and is composed of a large group of young stars. These stellar objects are remarkably youthful, with ages estimated to be between one and five million years old.




How the Festive Image Was Created




The breathtaking view is a composite of data from different sources. The stellar signals were captured by the Chandra X

• ray Observatory, which detects X-ray light. This data was then combined with observations of interstellar gas in the visible light spectrum, weaving together to create the final, vibrant image that highlights the cluster's unique, tree-like shape.




As a fitting holiday suggestion, NASA encourages sky

• watchers to look up on Christmas Eve. Gazing towards the constellation Monoceros, where the cluster resides, one can symbolically celebrate the season with this magnificent galactic Christmas tree.





• Official Name: NGC 2264


• Distance from Earth: 2,500 light
• years


• Star Ages: 1 to 5 million years old


• Primary Observatory: Chandra X
• ray Observatory