2023-12-23 00:15:05
This is the curious appearance of the star cluster NGC 2264, nicknamed “the Christmas Tree Cluster.” Its shape is clearly reminiscent of the top of a Christmas tree. In addition, the way the photograph was taken, including false color wavelengths (infrared light and X-rays) outside the band of visible light, enhances its very Christmassy appearance. NGC 2264 is about 2,500 light-years away from Earth and is made up mostly of young stars, between one million and five million years old. (Source: NCYT from Amazings)
(Photo: NASA / CXC / SAO (X-ray); TA Rector (NRAO / AUI / NSF and NOIRLab / NSF / AURA), BA Wolpa (NOIRLab / NSF / AURA) (visible light); NASA / NSF / IPAC / CalTech / Univ. of Massachusetts (infrared); NASA / CXC / SAO / L. Frattare & J. Major (image processing))
#Christmas #tree #real #stars