NGC2264 - The Christmas Tree Cluster & Friends

 

     NGC2264 is a bright open star cluster in the constellation Monoceros which with some imagination turned on its side, the brighter stars pattern has the shape of a Christmas Tree (the brightest star is the base of the trunk).  The more colorful interesting objects embedded in the cluster include the distinctive Cone Nebula which tops the "tree" on the left as well as the extensive red emission nebula and bright blue reflection nebula on the right.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Optics Camera ISO Exposure Mount/Guiding Processing Location Date
TEC 140 @ f7 Canon Rebel XT (350D) modified; Type 1a filter 800 5 x 10 min G11; ST4 through TV85 Dark Subtract & stack in DeepSkyStacker; Levels & Curves in PS7; Noise Reduction with NeatImage Cottonwood Springs, CA 1/24/09

Comments: Clear skies, cool, no wind.  Poor seeing.