NGC 2264

Diffuse Nebula and Open Cluster NGC 2264 (= H V.27 = H VIII.5), in Monoceros

The Cone Nebula and the Chrismas Tree Cluster

[NGC 2264, AAT]
Right Ascension 06 : 41.1 (h:m)
Declination +09 : 53 (deg:m)
Distance 2.4 (kly)
Visual Brightnes 3.9 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 20.0 (arc min)

William Herschel discovered the cluster in 1784, the nebula in 1785.

The Cone Nebula and the Chrismas Tree Cluster were discovered by William Herschel, who assigned them the numbers H V.27 and H VIII.5. The nebula belongs to a much larger complex, which is currently an active star forming region.

Our image was obtained by David Malin with the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This image is copyrighted and may be used for private purpose only. For any other kind of use, including internet mirroring and storing on CD-ROM, please contact the Photo Permissions Department of the Anglo Australian Observatory.

  • More information on this image (by David Malin)
  • AAT image of NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis region (also by David Malin)

    The Hubble Space Telescope was used in 1997 to obtain images of forming stars in the Cone Nebula.

    In the John Caldwell's observing list and the Astronomical League's Deep Sky Binocular Club list.

  • SIMBAD Data of NGC 2264
  • Observing Reports for NGC 2264 (IAAC Netastrocatalog)


    Hartmut Frommert (spider@seds.org)
    Christine Kronberg (smil@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)

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    Last Modification: 29 Mar 1998, 13:00 MET