About this Object:
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.
Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included:

• Snowflake Cluster,
• and the Fox Fur Nebula.

All of the objects are located in the Monoceros constellation and are located about 2600 light-years from Earth.

About this Photo:
Date(s): January 10, 2010
Location: From my driveway in Georgetown, Texas
Telescope: Celestron C9.25 @ F6.3
Mount: HEQ-5
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider / Taurus Tracker III
Camera: Canon 40D Modified
Exposure: 26 x300s @ ISO1600 (2 hours 10 Minutes total)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 – Darks,Flats,Bias
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS3; Gradient Exterminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools;
Temperature(s): 28º F