NASA has marked the onset of the winter holidays by releasing a captivating image showcasing the cosmic crown, featuring the star cluster NGC 602 located in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
The image combines data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which explores the X-ray spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, and the James Webb Space Telescope, which operates in the infrared range. The bright red dots represent massive young stars emitting substantial energy, identified by Chandra. The background colors—orange, yellow, green, and blue—are provided by the James Webb Telescope, indicating the presence of hot dust forming the crown.
Scientists are particularly interested in studying the Small Magellanic Cloud because its stars contain fewer heavy elements compared to similar stars in the Milky Way. Heavy elements are formed in the cores of stars and disseminated into space during supernova explosions. Thus, galaxies rich in heavy elements are older. The Small Magellanic Cloud resembles galaxies from the early universe, making its study potentially insightful for understanding galaxy evolution over time.
In addition to the NGC 602 image, NASA also released a festive photo of the star cluster NGC 2264, known as the 'Christmas Tree Cluster'. The red, purple, blue, and white sparks are derived from Chandra's data, while the green and purple background that shapes the tree is created from optical data.
This cluster is located within our galaxy, just 2,500 light-years away—a relatively close distance in cosmic terms. It contains numerous stars, some significantly larger and others smaller than the Sun, ranging from one-tenth of its mass to seven times its mass.
The stars identified by Chandra resemble festive lights adorning a Christmas tree. These young stars are active, emitting energy, including X-rays. Their brightness fluctuates due to magnetic fields and flares, creating a twinkling effect.
Previously, we discussed the main symbol of Christmas—the Star of Bethlehem.