NGC 2264

NGC 2264

Diffuse nebula
An infrared Spitzer Space Telescope image of NGC 2264 Credit: SIRTF/NASA/ESA.
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Subtype	emission nebula
Right ascension	6h 41m
Declination	+9° 53′
Distance	~2600 ly ly
Apparent magnitude (V)	3.9
Apparent dimensions (V)	20′
Constellation	Monoceros

NGC 2264 is the designation number of the New General Catalogue that identifies two astronomical objects as a single object:

• the Cone Nebula,
• the Christmas Tree Cluster,

Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included:

• Snowflake Cluster,
• and the Fox Fur Nebula.

All of the objects are located in the Monoceros constellation and are located about 800 parsecs or 2600 light-years from Earth.

NGC 2264 is sometimes referred to as the Christmas Tree Cluster and the Cone Nebula. However, the designation of NGC 2264 in the New General Catalogue refers to both objects and not the cluster alone.

NGC 2264: Cone Nebula at bottom with inverted Christmas Tree cluster above the cone; the bright star just above the cone is the tree topper and the very bright star at the top of the image (S Monocerotis) is the center of the tree trunk. The Fox Fur Nebula is at the top right corner. The Snowflake nebula is in the middle which shows up better on the infrared image. Credit ESO

External links

• NGC 2264 @ SEDS NGC objects pages
• NGC 2264 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

• O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum! - Astronomy Sketch of the Day 12-25-2008