A Cosmic Wreath | Canvas Print

Unveil the cosmic splendour of star cluster NGC 602 in this breathtaking image, released on December 17, 2024. This stunning visual masterpiece merges data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory with imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope, creating a captivating portrayal of the universe's wonders. The intricate ring-like outline of the “wreath” is beautifully rendered by Webb’s infrared capabilities, while Chandra’s X-ray data, depicted in vibrant red, reveals the presence of young, massive stars that illuminate the wreath, casting high-energy light into the vast expanse of interstellar space. Nestled on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud—one of our Milky Way's closest galactic neighbours at approximately 200,000 light-years away—NGC 602 serves as a testament to the dynamic processes of star formation and the intricate dance of light and energy in the cosmos. This image not only showcases the beauty of celestial phenomena but also invites viewers to ponder the mysteries of the universe, making it a perfect addition to any space enthusiast's collection. [Public Domain] Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Infrared: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, P. Zeilder, E.Sabbi, A. Nota, M. Zamani; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/L. Frattare and K. Arcand