Bruce Murray Space Image Library

NGC 2264 (The Christmas Tree Cluster)

NGC 2264 (The Christmas Tree Cluster)
NGC 2264 (The Christmas Tree Cluster) The image shows the star cluster NGC 2264, known as the “Christmas Tree Cluster.” The bright stars were captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the green tree shape was captured by astrophotographer Michael Clow from his telescope in Arizona. X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: Clow, M.; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/L. Frattare and K. Arcand.