NGC 2264 - The Christmas Tree Open Star Cluster and Cone Nebula

NGC 2264 - The Christmas Tree Open Star Cluster and Cone Nebula are located in the constellation of Monoceros (east of Orion). The Christmas Tree cluster is presented right-side up at the bottom of this image with the Cone Nebula as its tree-topper. The entire cluster is an emission nebula which glows due to ionization from S Monocerotis, the bright star at the base of the tree. This gas and dust complex lies 2600 light-years distant and is part of a larger complex extending into the constellation of Gemini. The Cone Nebula is also known as "The Throne of God". Imaged with the Celestron Origin Blk II observatory.