Post

Dr. Marissa Civic
@stemfactually.com

The #holiday season will soon be upon us, and I've been thinking of NGC 2264, "The #Christmas Tree Galaxy" image from #NASA Chandra (full credit in alt text). Obviously highly modified, but still a fun way to integrate #stem into holidays. It's the "star" of my holiday collection: bit.ly/3ZkPiJz 🧪🥽

34 reposts436 likes

Ben de Mulder
@spacerambler.bsky.social

Not sure this is from Nasa Chandra as it is really low resolution and probably took from an amateur who is beginning Astrophotography. Here it is how this nebula + cluster looks from my Celestron C11, (no filter, real coulours). I took this photo last year.

Observer
@amyastro.bsky.social

I apologize for being pedantic. NGC2264 is an emission nebula and open (new) star cluster in our own galaxy. It's not a galaxy itself. It's about 2,500 light years away. The Andromeda Galaxy for comparison is 2,500,000 light years away. Thanks for the pretty picture!

Dr. Marissa Civic
@stemfactually.com

Oh gosh yes, thanks for the correction. I meant Christmas tree cluster, I believe is what NASA called it. I'll see if there's a way to edit these things. Always appreciate a fact check!