Clouds of glowing hydrogen
gas fill this colorful skyscape in the faint but fanciful constellation Monoceros, the Unicorn. A star forming region cataloged as NGC 2264, the complex jumble of cosmic gas and dust
is about 2,700 light-years distant and mixes reddish emission nebulae excited by energetic light from
newborn stars with dark interstellar dust clouds. Where the
otherwise obscuring dust clouds lie close to the hot, young stars they also
reflect starlight, forming blue reflection nebulae. The telescopic image spans about 1.5 degrees or 3 full
moons, covering nearly 80 light-years at the distance of NGC 2264. Its cast of
cosmic characters includes the the Fox Fur Nebula, whose dusty, convoluted pelt lies left of
center, bright variable star S Monocerotis immersed in the blue-tinted haze near
center, and the Cone Nebula pointing in from the right side of
the frame. Of course, the stars of NGC 2264 are also known as the Christmas Tree
star cluster. The triangular tree shape is seen on its side here. Traced by
brighter stars it has its apex at the Cone Nebula. The tree’s broader base is
centered near S Monocerotis.
Image & info via APOD
Source: Fox
Fur, Unicorn, and Christmas Tree – Scents of Science (myfusimotors.com)
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