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Date: Jan.23, 2021 - Location: Dark Sky Observatory, Fort Davis, TX Telescope: 16in. RC Mount: Paramount MEII Camera: FLI 16803 Exposure: Ha = 15x10 min. R, G, and B = 15x2 min. each - All Binned 2x2 Click on the image to view at higher resolution. |
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The Cone Nebula is an often imaged HII region in the constellation Monoceros[1,3] and is about 2500 to 2700 light years distant[1,2]. This impressive celestial object is located at the southern end of NGC 2264 (The Christmas Tree Cluster)[1]. The Cone Nebula is an enormous pillar of dust and gas approximately 7 light years in length[1]. Radiation pressure and stellar winds of the young hot stars of the Christmas Tree Cluster are responsible for shaping the conical shape of the Cone[2]. The Cone resembles, in shape and form, the iconic Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula (M16) . Pillar structures like these consist of large dense clouds of gas and dust and are stellar nurseries where new stars are forming[2]. The surrounding red nebula is classed as an emission nebula[1] and is energized to shine by the intense ultraviolet radiation of the brightest member of the Christmas Tree Cluster. This illuminating star (S Monocerotis)[1] is located to the north and is out of the field of view of the above image. William Herschel discovered the Cone Nebula December 26, 1785[1]. Today both the Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster share the designation NGC 2264[1].
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