NGC 2264

Starforming Nebula and Open Cluster NGC 2264 (= H V.27 = H VIII.5), type 'c', in Monoceros

The Cone Nebula and the Chrismas Tree Cluster

[NGC 2264, AAT]
Right Ascension 06 : 41.1 (h:m)
Declination +09 : 53 (deg:m)
Distance 2.4 (kly)
Visual Brightnes 3.9 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 20.0 (arc min)

William Herschel discovered the cluster in 1781, the nebula in 1785.

The Chrismas Tree Cluster and the Cone Nebula were both discovered by William Herschel. He found the cluster first on February 15, 1781 with a 6.2-inch reflector before having started to compile his catalog. After starting his systematic survey with his 18.7-inch reflector, he found it again on January 18, 1784, and cataloged it as H VIII.5. He also discovered the nebula on December 26, 1785, and assigned it the catalog number H V.27.

The nebula belongs to a much larger complex, which is currently an active star forming region.

Our image was obtained by David Malin with the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This image is copyrighted by the Australian Astronomical Observatory; see their usage policy.

  • More information on this image (by David Malin)
  • AAT image of NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis region (also by David Malin)

    The Hubble Space Telescope was used in 1997 to obtain images of forming stars in the Cone Nebula.

    In the John Caldwell's observing list and the Astronomical League's Deep Sky Binocular Club list.

  • Jean-Claude Mermilliod's WEBDA cluster page for NGC 2264
  • SIMBAD Data of NGC 2264
  • Publications on NGC 2264 (NASA ADS)
  • Observing Reports for NGC 2264 (IAAC Netastrocatalog)
  • NGC Online data for NGC 2264

    Hartmut Frommert
    Christine Kronberg
    [contact]

    [SEDS] [MAA] [Home] [Non-Messier Indexes]

    Last Modification: July 14, 2026
    Former Definitive Version: May 20, 2006