![nebula IC 2118 in the constellation Orion.](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/35NM3W2SFZRUOT7OVADNXHCOVQ.jpg?w=700)
![nebula IC 2118 in the constellation Orion.](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/35NM3W2SFZRUOT7OVADNXHCOVQ.jpg?w=700)
Is that the face of jolly old St. Nick, or a million-mile-wide nebula? The gas and dust of the cosmos often align into very familiar scenes from Earth. We’ve gathered nine space pictures that look just like your favorite Christmas things: Rudolph, snow angels, tree ornaments, and more.
![Snow angel, or Sharpless 2-106](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/4MBY2KCNGINPR64PNRUXSXJGOQ.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Christmas ornaments, or Cygnus X](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/NEUNTF3RMIUDZ2Q7FLDRURX6HY.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Rudolph, or red supergiant V838 Monocerotis](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/GN3JDIRCXXBTFLWYW7457RSMZU.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Santa's sleigh, or NGC 2736 nebula](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/FOYNQ5KRMZRXQDEVPRKYJOF4C4.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Pajama'd child, or the Flame nebula](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/P27LHSOKHAX2HZWYIR3VA5X47U.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Santa Claus, or IC 2118 nebula](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/VFLAEXGNMXGCLLXHFBAPZ5PYKA.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Santa Claus, or IC 2118 nebula](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/46JM64EFCY23NJSEHF6HY4XFFQ.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![New puppy, or S 308 Wolf-Rayet bubble](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/QSTWLNNISEPPNN2DB7GAAD6RSM.jpeg?strip=all&quality=95)
![New puppy, or S 308 Wolf-Rayet bubble](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/G6JN2X7MKE6XO2D3JJMGQSBN4E.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)