Waid Observatory

Object: The Cone Nebula in NGC 2264
Date: Jan., 2018  -   Location: Dark Sky Observatory, Davis Mountains, TX
Telescope: PlaneWave CDK 17in.   Mount: Paramount ME II   Camera: FLI 16803
Exposure:   L = 240 min.   R&B = 220 min. each G = 240 min. Ha = 340 min.
Image Credit: Preston Starr & Donald Waid

Click on the image to view at higher resolution.

 

NGC 2264

 

The Cone Nebula in NGC 2264 1

The Cone Nebula lies at the southern end of the Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) in the constellation of Monoceros at a distance of approximately 2,500 light years.  NGC 2264 is an area of intense star formation.  The Cone Nebula is very faint and is difficult to view visually.  Very dark skies and a trained eye are required for this object, however, long exposure images, such as the one above, display the intricate structure of the Cone Nebula.

1http://www.skyhound.com/sh/archive/jan/NGC_2264.html

 
Copyright Donald P. Waid