NGC 2264 - The Cone Nebula & Christmas Tree Cluster
Mon Dec 23 2024
NGC 2264 is a busy star-forming region in the constellation Monoceros, about 2,600 light-years away, and it packs two objects into one frame: the Christmas Tree Cluster of young stars and the dark, dust-filled Cone Nebula. The bright young stars light up the surrounding hydrogen and are slowly carving away the cold gas, where new stars are still being born. A festive target I captured over the holidays.
About this object
- Type
- Star Cluster with Nebulosity
- Constellation
- Monoceros (the Unicorn)
- Distance
- ~2,600 light-years
- Apparent magnitude
- 3.9
- Apparent size
- 11.4′
- Also known as
- Christmas Tree Cluster, Cone Nebula
- Catalogue designations
- NGC 2264
Acquisition
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 132 × 3m (6h 36m)
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 109 × 3m (5h 27m)
- Total integration: 12h 3m
Equipment
- Telescope / Lens: Astro-Tech AT72EDII
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Mount: Celestron CGEM II
- Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm
- Guiding scope: ZWO 30mm Mini Guider Scope
- Guiding camera: ZWO ASI224MC
- Accessories: Astro-Tech .8X Reducer for F6 (ATR8), ZWO EFW 7 x 36mm
- Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.