The Christmas Tree Cluster also known as NGC 2264 is located in the constellation Monocerus. In fact, it is not clear whether NGC 2264 also refers to the Cone Nebula. According to the SEDS database, NGC 2264 is a "Cluster associated with nebulosity". The cluster is located approximately 2'300 light years from Earth.
The Cone Nebula is an HII region and was given the designation H V.27 by William Herschel. It is located approximately 2'700 light years away from us.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2264#cite_note-cseligman-7
https://spider.seds.org/ngc/ngc.cgi?NGC+2264
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_Nebula
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2261
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_Monocerotis
Setup
Main Deep Sky Setup
Telescope / Camera Lens
UNC200
Camera
Omegon veTEC 571c
Mount
Skywatcher EQ6r-Pro
Filter
Astronomik L-2, L-eXtreme
Integration Time
RGB: 258 x 180 s = 12 h 54 min
L-eXtreme: 46 x 300 s = 3 h 50 min
Total: 16 h 44 min
Comments
I only used the Ha data from the LeXtreme filter
Type of Main Object
Emission nebula, star cluster and reflection nebula
Constellation
Monocerus
Observation Site
Goldau, CH
Bortle Class 4
Date
25th December 2024
13th January 2025
15th January 2025
3th - 6th March 2025
