Christmas Tree Cluster (ngc 2264)
by Robert Gendler/science Photo Library
Title
Christmas Tree Cluster (ngc 2264)
Artist
Robert Gendler/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Christmas Tree cluster (NGC 2264), optical image. This nebula, also known as the Cone Mosaic nebula, consists of clouds of dust and gas that glow as they are ionised by radiation from a hot young cluster of stars. The cluster contains around 600 stars, between 1 and 4 million years old. The nebulous region resembles the shape of a Christmas tree, seen here with the base to the left, illuminated by the cluster's brightest star, S Monocerotis. The Cone nebula (a dark pillar) is at the apex of the Christmas tree on the right. The nebula lies around 2600 light years from the Earth in the constellation Monoceros.
Uploaded
October 3rd, 2018
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