NGC 2264 is certainly one of the best known objects in astrophotography, it is the location where the Cone Nebula, the Stellar Snowflake Cluster and the Christmas Tree Cluster have formed in an emission nebula. The Stellar Snowflake Cluster is located 2,700 light years away in the constellation Monoceros.
The Snowflake Cluster was named due to its unmistakable pinwheel-like shape and its assortment of bright colors. The Christmas Tree star formation consists of young stars obscured by heavy layers of dust clouds. These dust clouds, along with hydrogen and helium are producing luminous new stars. The combination of dense clouds and an array of colors creates quite a visual feast.
Imaged in SHO narrowband on our RH 300 array at SC Observatory, Samphran, Thailand
Integration Time: 44 hours
Image Processing: Mike Selby