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NASA releases image of massive cosmic 'Christmas tree' floating in space
UPI News ^ | December 20, 2023 | AccuWeather Staff

Posted on 12/20/2023 4:32:13 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

Christmas is less than a week away, and even the night sky is spreading some holiday cheer with what could be the largest Christmas tree in the universe.

On Tuesday, NASA released an image of NGC 2264, also known as the "Christmas Tree Cluster," a group of young stars located around 2,500 light-years away from Earth. The image was captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the green nebula surrounding the stars resembled a festive Christmas tree.

Some stars in the cosmic Christmas tree are only one-tenth the size of our sun, while others are several times larger. NASA added that many of the stars are only 1 to 5 million years old, making them infants compared to other stars that live for billions of years.

The Christmas tree-shaped object is too dim for people to step outside and spot it in the sky, but there could be some lights in the sky around the holidays. The Ursid meteor shower is active through Dec. 24 and can spark up to 10 shooting stars per hour across the Northern Hemisphere.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Astronomy; Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: christmas; christmastreenebula; nebula; space; universe
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1 posted on 12/20/2023 4:32:13 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: MtnClimber

*PING*

Not trying to steal your thunder. This was just PRETTY. :)


2 posted on 12/20/2023 4:36:47 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Nice. Are the progs and leftists going to demand God take that tree down?

I noticed this:

"Some stars in the cosmic Christmas tree are only one-tenth the size of our sun, while others are several times larger.
Doesn't that UPI News writer know the correct terminology is "ten times smaller"?

Just kidding. It is refreshing to see a writer get it right and say "one-tenth." (pet peeve of mine)

3 posted on 12/20/2023 4:41:28 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
And here is the Christmas Tree Cluster later after New Year's when it has all dried up:



And this is when it has become a fire hazard and burst into flames:


4 posted on 12/20/2023 4:41:45 PM PST by Telepathic Intruder
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

wormwood?


5 posted on 12/20/2023 4:43:53 PM PST by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: Telepathic Intruder

If you look closely you can see the condoms the Clintons
hung on it,


6 posted on 12/20/2023 4:47:09 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thank you for that beautiful picture & article.


7 posted on 12/20/2023 4:49:51 PM PST by Old Grumpy
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

That’s a pet peeve of mine as well. 10 times smaller? What the heck does that mean?


8 posted on 12/20/2023 4:50:17 PM PST by gitmo (If your theology doesn't match your biography, what good is it?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yet they can’t get a clear picture of Bigfoot.


9 posted on 12/20/2023 4:56:36 PM PST by roving
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

That is awesome…..


10 posted on 12/20/2023 4:59:00 PM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
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To: roving
Yet they can’t get a clear picture of Bigfoot.

....or a suspect robbing a convivence store.

11 posted on 12/20/2023 4:59:17 PM PST by GreenHornet
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

That is a nice Christmas space photo!


12 posted on 12/20/2023 5:00:40 PM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: roving

Were shy.


13 posted on 12/20/2023 5:03:14 PM PST by sasquatch
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To: roving

This looks more like Bigbird than Bigfoot.


14 posted on 12/20/2023 5:06:49 PM PST by posterchild
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To: All

This is terrible! Climate Change has done this! Now all of our Christmas Trees are being sucked out into space. Where in the history of mankind has this happened? Exxon Mobil did this and they should be responsible for bringing it back to earth.


15 posted on 12/20/2023 5:29:11 PM PST by BipolarBob (Yes officer, I saw the speed limit sign. I just didn't see you.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
GOD WINS
16 posted on 12/20/2023 5:43:26 PM PST by teletech (you)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Thanks for translating that moronic manner of describing different sizes.

Could never figure it out previously!


17 posted on 12/20/2023 6:49:52 PM PST by one guy in new jersey
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To: Diana in Wisconsin



"FEED ME"

18 posted on 12/20/2023 7:26:52 PM PST by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with Mars ♂️, aka every man)
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To: gitmo

Amen! What is “one time smaller”?


19 posted on 12/21/2023 1:17:05 AM PST by umbagi (Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it. [Twain])
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To: umbagi

1 * X = X


20 posted on 12/21/2023 5:09:37 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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