It’s a cosmic Christmas! NASA simply launched new photographs of a close-by star cluster that resembles a wreath and one other that appears like a Christmas tree.
The wreath-like cluster is definitely named “NGC 602” and it lies on the outskirts of one of many closest galaxies to the Milky Way referred to as Small Magellanic Cloud. NASA mentioned it is positioned about 200,000 mild years from Earth.
This new picture is a results of mixed information from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the company’s James Webb Space Telescope.
RELATED STORY | When and what’s the winter solstice? Things to know concerning the shortest day of the 12 months
The group of stars often known as the “Christmas tree cluster” is formally named “NGC 2264” Like the wreath formation, NASA mentioned this cluster is made up of younger stars between one and 5 million years outdated.
NASA mentioned, for comparability, the Sun is a middle-aged star about 5 billion years outdated.
The new Christmas tree cluster picture combines Chandra information with optical information from astrophotographer Michael Clow and his telescope in Arizona, NASA mentioned.
RELATED STORY | One of the very best annual meteor showers peaks quickly. Here’s how one can see the Geminids