A Cosmic Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree Cluster and the Cone Nebula are both designated as NGC 2264. The Cone Nebula is top center and the Christmas Tree Cluster is just below it with the top of the tree just below the point of the cone.

 

The Fox Fur Nebula is center left and the bright star at the center is S Mon. NGC 2264 is located about 2500 light years away in the constellation Monoceros.

 

The image is a mixture of RGB and Ha data -- about 10 hours of each.

 

Rio Rancho NM Bortle 5 zone,

Dec 15, 2023 - Jan 17, 2024

William Optics Redcat 51

ZWO 183mm pro

ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini

Optolong R G B and Ha filters

ZWO ASI Air Pro

Sky-Watcher HEQ5

Darks GraXpert dithering

Gain 111 at -10C

Processed in DSS and PS

Done