The Christmas Tree Cluster, also known as NGC 2264, is a well-studied region in the Monoceros (the Unicorn) constellation. The Christmas Tree Cluster, the blue reflection nebula surrounding bright stars, was so named because it looks like a tree in visible light. The nebula is roughly 2,500 light-years away.

At the bottom left of the image, the well known Cone Nebula is also visible. The Cone Nebula region clearly contains much dust which blocks light from the emission nebula and open cluster NGC 2264 behind it.
The Fox Fur Nebula has a strange shape originate from fine interstellar dust reacting in complex ways with the energetic light and hot gas being expelled by the young stars.

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Telescope: William Optics Redcat 51 (f/5 250mm)

Mount: ioptron CEM26

Imaging Camera: QHY 294M

Filter(s): Antlia 3.5nm H-Alpha, 3nm O-III, 3.5nm S-II

Integration time: 1.5h Ha, 30mins Sii, 30mins Oiii

Processed with Pixinsight