The Christmas Tree Cluster

My first project of 2021 has been of the Cone Nebula (NGC 2264) and the Christmas Tree Cluster in the constellation Monoceros. This was done as a two-panel mosaic to highlight the breadth of the structures in the nebula.

NGC 2264 is roughly 2,700 light-years away and is considered a diffuse emission nebula (all the red) with lots of bright stars. The Cluster is actually composed of a number of different smaller nebulae including the Cone and Fox Fir nebula.

Learn more: 

https://www.constellation-guide.com/christmas-tree-cluster/

The above image is an SHO version that combines the three filters while below is a more natural HOO bi-color image.