Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Monoceros (Mon)  ·  Contains:  Christmas Tree Cluster  ·  NGC 2259  ·  NGC 2264  ·  The star 15Mon
Christmas Tree Cluster...NGC 2264, Keith Grice
Christmas Tree Cluster...NGC 2264
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Christmas Tree Cluster...NGC 2264

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Description

Photographed from the backyard in HARGB.
A glowing nebula and bright blue star cluster combine to produce a festive deep-sky object known as the Christmas Tree Cluster.
This is NGC 2264, an object that consists of both the Cone Nebula and accompanying Christmas Tree Cluster.
The source of the latter nickname is obvious: it would be difficult to find a more festive-looking deep-sky object, with its glowing gold Christmas tree-shaped nebulaic cloud and a star cluster of cosmic baubles.
Deep within the clouds of gas and dust are the ingredients for producing new stars, which burn a fiercely hot bright blue. The golden hue in the image is a result of gas clouds glowing as they are hit by ultra-violet light emanating from the newborn stars.

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Christmas Tree Cluster...NGC 2264, Keith Grice