Star cluster with a nebula · Monoceros

NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster

Also known as: LBN 911

mag 3.920′ across

About

NGC 2264, the Christmas Tree Cluster, is a star cluster with a nebula of magnitude 3.9 in Monoceros, about 20′ across.

NGC 2264 is in the constellation Monoceros.
Best evenings: around mid-February it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 70° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesA small misty patch from a dark site.
Binoculars (10×50)A bright glow wrapped around stars.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Glowing clouds with dark lanes; a UHC filter shows much more.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	NGC 2264, LBN 911
Type	Star cluster with a nebula
Magnitude	3.9The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	20′the full Moon is 31′ across
Constellation	Monoceros
Right ascension (J2000)	06h 40m 58.2s
Declination (J2000)	+09° 53′ 44″