Antilhue - Chile

Christmas Tree Cluster
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Image Data

Designation Christmas Tree cluster,  NGC 2264,  Cone Nebula
Object type Open cluster with nebulosity
Coordinates 06h41min  +09°53'  (Monoceros) 
Description Another very active part of our galaxy.  The open cluster is a fine bright group of about 30 stars called the Christmas Tree by L.S. Copeland because of its shape. There is a good deal of scattered emission nebulosity  extending south towards the Cone Nebula (top). The brightest star in this 76 x 113 arcmin field is 15 Mon and to its upper left  (SW)  is a patch of bluish reflection  nebula.  Here is a rendition in the light of ionized Hydrogen (Ha).
Exposure RGB 20:30:50 min @ -15°C  -  unbinned
Camera SBIG ST-10XE selfguided + CFW-8 with CS RGB filters
Optics Astro-Physics Traveler AP105EDF with CCDT67 reducer (452mm focal length - f/4.3)
Mount Astro-Physics AP900GTO
Software MaxIm DL/CCD, DeBloomer, Sigma Pre Beta 11, Adobe Photoshop 6.0
Location - Date - Time San Esteban (Chile) - 21Dec2003 - 05:00 UTC
Conditions Transparency 6,  Seeing 6, Temperature +13°C