NGC2264 · Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster

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Credit T.A. Rector (NRAO/AUI/NSF and NOIRLab/NSF/AURA) and B.A. Wolpa… · CC BY 4.0

Chinese name	锥状星云与圣诞树星团
Type	Emission nebula
Constellation	Mon
RA	06h41m
Dec	+09°
Apparent magnitude	3.9ᵐ
Hemisphere	Both hemispheres
Best season	Winter
Difficulty	Easy
Focal length	中焦 500–900mm

About

About 2,700 light-years away in Monoceros, NGC 2264 is a star-forming region packing several icons into one frame: the triangular Christmas Tree Cluster, the dark Cone Nebula pillar at its apex, and the swirling Fox Fur Nebula. Red hydrogen, blue reflection light and dark dust interweave into a richly layered, highly photogenic winter target.