The Cone Nebula is a giant pillar of gas and dust located in the star forming region NGC 2264.
Radiation from hot young stars has slowly eroded the nebula over millions of years. Ultraviolet radiation causes the hydrogen gas to glow producing a halo around the pillar. This has formed a bow shaped arc which is 65 times larger than our solar system.
Above the cone turbulent regions of hydrogen gas form a textured tapestry of nebulosity extending through to the region often termed the Christmas Tree.
Imaged in SHO Narrowband and RGB star color on my Planewave CDK 700 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image Acquisition and Processing: Mike Selby