A Winter Wonderland in Monoceros
NGC 2264 is a sprawling complex of star formation. The 'Christmas Tree' is an open cluster of young stars that forms the shape of a tree, with the bright star S Monocerotis acting as the trunk. At the very top of the 'tree' sits the Cone Nebula, a dark absorption nebula that is a massive pillar of gas and dust where new stars are being born. To the side lies the Fox Fur Nebula, characterized by its chaotic, folded textures that resemble the pelt of a fox. The entire region is bathed in a soft red glow of hydrogen gas, punctuated by blue reflection nebulosity.
Imaging Challenges
- • Dynamic Range: S Monocerotis is very bright and can overwhelm the delicate Fox Fur textures nearby.
- • Orientation: The 'Christmas Tree' appears upside down in many telescope configurations, requiring a 180-degree flip to see the 'tree' shape clearly.
- • Color complexity: Balancing the deep H-alpha reds with the subtle blue reflection nebulae scattered through the cluster.
The 'Snowflake Cluster' is a group of newborn stars arranged in a starburst pattern that looks like a snowflake; however, this pattern is temporary and will vanish as the stars drift apart over time.