NASA's Latest Capture Provides Spectacular View of the Christmas Tree Star Cluster

Christmas Tree Cluster Image:

1NASA has released a composite image of the Christmas Tree Cluster, featuring the stellar nursery NGC 2264, combining data from various telescopes.

Stellar Nursery Location

The Christmas Tree Cluster is situated within our Milky Way galaxy, approximately 2,500 light-years away from Earth.

Star Age and Variety

NGC 2264 consists of young stars ranging in age from one to five million years.

X-ray Emission

Young stars in NGC 2264 emit X-rays, detected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory

Colorful Representation

The composite image creatively uses color to enhance the festive resemblance, with green representing gas in the nebula

Distance and Perspective

160 degrees to create the illusion of the tree's top aligning with the image's upper edge.

Inspiring exploration beyond our home.