Stars are often born in clusters or groups within giant clouds of gas and dust. Astronomers studied this star cluster using X-ray data from our NASA ChandraXray telescope, seen here in purple, and red, green and blue infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

This composite image shows a cluster at the center of the Flame Nebula, located about 1,400 light-years from Earth. Studies show that the stars in the center of this cluster are about 200,000 years old, while those on the outskirts are about 1.5 million years old.

Image description:

Purple stars illuminate the center of a dramatic scene in the Flame Nebula. The center of the nebula glows in shades of gray, while rose-colored branches surround the outside of the nebula. Stars decorate the background in cool shades of blue.

 

Credit: (X-ray) NASA/CXC/PSU/K.Getman, E.Feigelson, M.Kuhn and the MYStIX team; (Infrared) NASA/JPL-Caltech