Nasa launched a hanging new picture of the star cluster NGC 602 on Tuesday. The picture reveals the cluster’s distinctive form, which resembles a ‘vacation wreath.’ Nasa describes the wreath-like look as symbolic of the cycle of life and dying.
The picture was captured utilizing information from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Cosmic wreath: NGC 602
The NGC 602 star cluster is positioned about 200,000 light-years from Earth within the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), a dwarf galaxy that orbits the Milky Way.
The cluster, captured utilizing information from the James Webb Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory, contains a ring-shaped formation of dense mud clouds. Webb’s imaging exhibits the ring in vivid inexperienced, yellow, blue, and orange hues. Chandra’s X-rays, displayed in crimson, reveal younger, large stars illuminating the formation and emitting high-energy mild into area.
Nasa explains that the X-rays come from winds generated by the younger, large stars scattered throughout the cluster.
The stars in NGC 602 are notable for having fewer heavy parts in comparison with the Sun. This situation resembles the setting from billions of years in the past, offering scientists with a chance to review the early universe.
NGC 602 displays the stellar lifecycle of star formation and destruction noticed within the cluster.
Christmas tree cluster: NGC 2264
In December 2023, Nasa shared a picture of NGC 2264, often known as the “Christmas Tree Cluster.” This star cluster, positioned about 2,500 light-years away, options cone-shaped inexperienced fuel clouds that resemble a Christmas tree.
The picture combines optical information from astrophotographer Michael Clow with X-ray information from Chandra, revealing white, blue, crimson, and purple specks of sunshine representing stars. Along with the inexperienced gaseous formation, this creates the looks of a “cosmic Christmas tree,” resembling a embellished tree. These stars are younger, aged between one and 5 million years, in comparison with the Sun’s 5 billion years.
