NGC 2264 · nebula

Christmas Tree / Cone Nebula

NGC 2264 is the designation number of the New General Catalogue that identifies two astronomical objects as a single object: the Cone Nebula, and the Christmas Tree Cluster.

RA06h 40m 58sDec+09° 53' 43"

Image: NASA - NASA/JPL-Caltech/P.S. Teixeira (Center for Astrophysics). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: NGC 2264
All designations: NGC 2264 · Christmas Tree / Cone Nebula
Object type: Nebula
Constellation: Monoceros
Best viewing: Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 06h 40m 58s
Declination (J2000): +09° 53' 43"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

NGC 2264 is the designation number of the New General Catalogue that identifies two astronomical objects as a single object: the Cone Nebula, and the Christmas Tree Cluster. Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included, the Snowflake Cluster, and the Fox Fur Nebula. All of the objects are located in the Monoceros constellation and are located about 720 parsecs or 2,300 light-years from Earth. Due to its relative proximity and large size, it is extremely well-studied. 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.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0