NASA has released stunning new images of two celestial wonders, both of which resemble traditional Christmas decorations. The first is the “Christmas Tree Cluster,” a massive structure 2,500 light years from Earth, composed of young stars estimated to be between 1 to 5 million years old.
The cluster’s glow is generated by thousands of suns, captured in an image combining data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and astrophotographer Michael Clow. Another Yuletide wonder, the “Wreath” Cluster, made up of young stars similar to the Christmas Tree, has also been revealed by NASA.
Located about 200,000 light-years from Earth, the Wreath Cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a close galaxy to the Milky Way. Its stars have fewer heavy elements compared to the Sun and most galaxies, creating conditions similar to those of ancient stars.
Both clusters serve as symbols of Christmas, representing newborn stars in cosmic terms. The discovery showcases NASA’s commitment to sharing its findings with the public during the holiday season.
Source: https://aleteia.org/2024/12/24/nasa-reveals-our-galaxys-christmas-tree-star-cluster