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Cone Nebula / Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264)
open cluster in Monoceros
The Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster are part of a large star-forming region in Monoceros. The Cone is a dark pillar of dust at one end, the Fox Fur Nebula glows nearby, and the cluster's stars make a tree-shaped pattern.
Save your telescope or lens on the planner to lay your camera frame over this diagram.
// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 2264
- Type
- open cluster
- Constellation
- Monoceros
- Size
- 20′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3.9
- Distance
- about 2,700 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Dec
- Typical prime months
- Oct to Mar
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- Dual-band / Ha for the Cone Nebula; no filter for the cluster
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How to image Cone Nebula / Christmas Tree Cluster
- Ha or a dual-band filter shows the nebulosity. Use 500 to 800 mm for the whole region and 1,000 mm for the Cone.
- The cluster stars are bright, so use short sub-exposures or blend frames.
- High in the winter sky for northern observers.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 2264 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 1360 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 2420 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 3710 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 2264 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 45° | Workable |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 55° | Workable |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 65° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 75° | High in the sky |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 45° | Workable |
Also worth imaging
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