NGC 2264 - Cone Nebula and Christmas Tree Cluster Region

This is an H II region in the constellation of Monoceros (Greek for Unicorn). The cone shape is a dark absorption nebula of cold molecular hydrogen and dust in front of an emission nebula. The peak of the Christmas Tree is the star (SAO 114264) above the Cone's tip. The base of the tree is the bright variable type O7 star 15 Monocerotis (or S Monocerotis). Hydrogen-alpha filter (5nm) Total= 60 minutes. 10 images, 6-minute unbinned subframes. Takahashi Epsilon-180, SBIG STL6303E CCD camera, ATMoB Clubhouse, Westford, MA. 13 November 2010.