NGC 2264 "Cone Nebula"
Click image to view entire frame
Telescope: RCOS 14.5” at Rowe, NM
Camera Filters: Red, Blue, Green, Hydrogen, Oxygen
Total exposure: 20 hours
Image width: 1 degree
NGC 2264 is a reflection nebula discovered by William Herschel in the 1780’s. It lies at about 2,600 light-years from earth. The dark core of the “cone nebula” (left bottom) consists of cold molecular hydrogen in front of the reflection nebula and HII regions. The nebula extending from the Cone toward the upper right is often call the Christmas Tree Nebula.