This enigmatic formation of gas and dust lies in the constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn) not far off the right arm of Orion. This is a close-up of a small section of a much larger complex, generally known as the Christmas Tree cluster.

The image colors are based on the Hubble palette and skew everything towards the green (but see image "C"). The actual red regions of this nebula are caused by hydrogen gas that has been stimulated to emit its own light by the copious ultraviolet radiation coming from the hot, blue stars of the cluster. The actual blue areas shine by a different process: they are mainly dust clouds that reflect the bluish light of the same stars.

Its popular name arises because the nebula looks like the head of a stole made from the fur of a red fox. [Source Wikipedia]

The nebula surrounding bright star S Mon (center) is filled with dark dust and glowing gas. The strange shapes that haunt this star forming region originate from fine interstellar dust reacting in complex ways to the energetic light and hot gas being expelled by the young stars. The above picture, in false Hubble palette, isolates the northern part of a greater nebula designated NGC 2264, which lies about 2500 light-years away and includes the Cone Nebula. The actual blue glow directly surrounding S Mon results from reflection, where neighboring dust reflects light from the bright star. The more diffuse red glow results from emission, where starlight ionizes hydrogen gas. Pink areas are lit by a combination of the two processes. A small group of stars surrounds S Mon, a star visible with the naked eye toward the constellation of Monoceros. [Source APOD]

The image was captured with the Meade 12"LX200, using the Atik 383L+ mono at F7.16. Astronomik's Ha, OIII and SII filters were used. All subs were taken at 1x1 bin, -10C, and 10 minutes each.

Ha : 30 subs (5.00 hr) on Feb 26th and 27th.

OIII : 34 subs (5.67 hr) on Feb 28th and 4th.

SII : 30 subs (5.00 hr) on Mar 4th and 6th.

Color mix for "Original" and "B" images was done per the Hubble palette:

Red = SII, Green = Ha, Blue = OIII

Color mix for "C" image was done per my own concoction:

Red = 0.5Ha + 0.5SII, Green = 0.5Ha + 0.5OIII, Blue = 0.5OIII + 0.5SII

I think it's a bit more pleasing to the eye.

Processing was done with PixInsight. Each filter set was integrated, processed and stretched. These were then combined with PixelMath per the Hubble palette. This final image was further processed in PI, bringing it to the level presented.

North is up, and this is a very slight crop. I am pleased with the outcome. NGC2264 is too large for the 12"LX200 at f/7.16, but this "up close and personal" version featuring the Fox Fur and S Mon is interesting.

All images were captured with APT camera control software.