Christmas Tree Complex
Designation: NGC 2264
Hemisphere: Northern
Constellation: Monoceros
Distance: 2,500 light years
Object type: Open cluster / Emission Nebula
Description
The designation NGC 2264 refers to several objects: the Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster, and unofficially to the Snowflake Cluster and the Fox Fur Nebula. All together these objects form a festive deep-sky object Christmas tree-shaped, which is sometimes referred to as the Christmas Tree Complex.
This H II complex is a stunning emission nebula located approx. 2,500 light years from Earth, in the constellation of Monoceros, the Unicorn. Here young stars are obscured by heavy layers of dust clouds that, along with hydrogen and helium, are producing luminous new stars.
Equipment
Mount: ZWO AM5
Main Telescope: William Optics RedCat 51
Main camera: ZWO ASI294MC-Pro
Main camera filter: Optolong L-Ultimate
Guidescope: Svbony SV165 30/120
Guide camera: ZWO ASI220MM Mini
Guide camera filter: Astronomik UV/IR cut
Acquisition details
Total integration time: 6 hours 20 minutes
Acquisition: ZWO AsiAir Plus
Processing: PixInsight
Location: Luxembourg
The Lonely Photon 