NGC 2264

NGC 2264 is a nebula located in the constellation of Monoceros, it lies at an approximate distance of 2,700 ly from Earth in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. It includes the Cone Nebula, Christmas Tree Cluster and Fox Fur Nebula.

This image shows part of the cluster, the base of the ‘tree’ - S. Monocerotis, and the Fox Fur Nebula, a red emission region of ionised hydrogen and a blue reflection region of dust that is illuminated by the bright young stars within the nebula.The texture and colour of the nebula resemble the head of a red fox stole.