NGC2264

NGC 2264 is a Open Cluster in the Monoceros constellation. NGC 2264 is situated close to the celestial equator and, as such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.⁣ ⁣ This image comprises 24 separate images, each 10 minutes long in the Hydrogen, Oxygen and Sulphur wavebands. These 77 images are stacked on top of each other to increase the signal and reduce the noise. The result is the lovely blue hues of the ionized Oxygen gas intermingled with the golden orange of the Hydrogen and Sulphur compounds. It may not smell too good, but it looks lovely.⁣ ⁣