NASA has discovered a stunning star cluster in space, which it has dubbed the “cosmic wreath” due to its resemblance to a festive holiday decoration. The cluster, located 200,000 light-years from Earth, is made up of stars and dust clouds that form a ring-like shape, with orange, yellow, green, and blue hues.
The image was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, which revealed the intricate details of the celestial body. NASA officials noted that the chemical composition of this star cluster is similar to that of stars discovered billions of years ago in a “much younger” universe.
According to NASA, wreaths have long symbolized the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, making it fitting that the discovery resembles a giant holiday wreath itself. The space agency also drew parallels between its previous discovery, the “Christmas tree cluster,” which is located about 2,500 light-years from Earth.
Data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and optical data captured by astrophotographer Michael Clow were combined to create the composite image of the cosmic wreath. The resulting display showcases a dazzling array of stellar lights that resemble a sparkling Christmas tree when enhanced with certain colors and displayed at a specific rotation.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/12/23/christmas-wreath-star-cluster-nasa/77177640007