Christmas Tree Cluster (12-23-2010)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Of course, there is a reason this cluster is called the Christmas Tree Cluster, NGC 2264. The nebula behind it might be called the Christmas Tree Nebula as well. The brighter parts of the nebula have the shape of a Christmas tree, probably as a result of radiation from cluster stars. Just above the top of the tree is the Cone Nebula. At the bottom left is a complicated web of gas often called the Fox Fur Nebula.

This image is, of course, just the one I took three weeks ago dressed up in Christmas colors (actually, the image is a monochrome image taken through a narrow slice of the deep red part of the spectrum). Enjoy the season!