A new image of the star cluster NGC 2264known as the Cosmic “Christmas Tree”was published by NASA on December 17, 2024 and went viral on networks. This representation combines data obtained by the Chandra X-ray Observatory of the astronomical research organization and optical observations made with the astrophotographer’s telescope Michael Clowlocated in Arizona, United States.
In the composite, Chandra data appear in red, purple, blue and white colors, while optical observations are displayed in green and violet tones. This collaboration between X-ray technology and visible light allows us to appreciate both the most energetic characteristics of the cluster and the visible structures in the optical spectrum.
NGC 2264 is found located about 2,500 light years from Earth, and it is a cluster of young stars with estimated ages between one and five million years. The stars appear in the image as blue and white lights, while the characteristics “pine needles” of the tree are represented by swirls of gas, whose tones vary depending on the range of light they emit. In particular, the color green marks the visible light, a detail that stands out in the structure similar to a Christmas tree.
This image was not only visually striking for Internet users, but also provides valuable information about training and evolution of stars for astronomy enthusiasts. The X-ray data reveal areas of intense energetic activity, including interactions between stars and the surrounding gas, while optical observations allow the less energetic structures to be detailed, completing a more comprehensive view of the cluster.
The cluster NGC 2264 is located in the constellation of Monoceros and has long been known for its distinctive shape, which resembles a Christmas tree. This region is an active stellar nursery, where new stars continue to form amid dense clouds of gas and dust.
Image processing was carried out by NASA/CXC/SAO experts, led by L. Frattare and K. Arcandwho managed to integrate data from different sources to create a single representation of the cluster.
On networks, the image gained popularity in the context of the Christmas holidays, because with the characteristic green tones that stand out, users highlighted the resemblance that the cluster has with that figure that gives it its name among the masses.
