NGC 2264
Encyclopedia
NGC 2264 is the designation number of the New General Catalogue
that identifies two astronomical object
s as a single object:
Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included:
All of the objects are located in the Monoceros constellation and are located about 800 parsec
s or 2600 light-year
s from Earth
.
NGC 2264 is sometimes referred to as the Christmas Tree Cluster and the Cone Nebula
. However, the designation of NGC 2264 in the New General Catalogue
refers to both objects and not the cluster alone.
New General Catalogue
The New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars is a well-known catalogue of deep sky objects in astronomy. It contains 7,840 objects, known as the NGC objects...
that identifies two astronomical object
Astronomical object
Astronomical objects or celestial objects are naturally occurring physical entities, associations or structures that current science has demonstrated to exist in the observable universe. The term astronomical object is sometimes used interchangeably with astronomical body...
s as a single object:
- the Cone NebulaCone NebulaThe Cone Nebula is an H II region in the constellation of Monoceros. It was discovered by William Herschel on December 26, 1785, at which time he designated it H V.27. The nebula is located about 800 parsecs or 2,600 light-years away from Earth. The Cone Nebula forms part of the nebulosity...
, - the Christmas Tree Cluster,
Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included:
- Snowflake ClusterSnowflake ClusterThe Snowflake Cluster is a cluster in Monoceros and is included in NGC 2264.-Name:The stars appear to have formed in regularly spaced intervals along linear structures in a configuration that resembles the spokes of a wheel or the pattern of a snowflake...
, - and the Fox Fur NebulaFox Fur NebulaFox Fur Nebula is a Nebula located in Monoceros and included in the NGC 2264 Region. In the Sharpless catalog it is number 273.- Information :...
.
All of the objects are located in the Monoceros constellation and are located about 800 parsec
Parsec
The parsec is a unit of length used in astronomy. It is about 3.26 light-years, or just under 31 trillion kilometres ....
s or 2600 light-year
Light-year
A light-year, also light year or lightyear is a unit of length, equal to just under 10 trillion kilometres...
s from Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
.
NGC 2264 is sometimes referred to as the Christmas Tree Cluster and the Cone Nebula
Cone Nebula
The Cone Nebula is an H II region in the constellation of Monoceros. It was discovered by William Herschel on December 26, 1785, at which time he designated it H V.27. The nebula is located about 800 parsecs or 2,600 light-years away from Earth. The Cone Nebula forms part of the nebulosity...
. However, the designation of NGC 2264 in the New General Catalogue
New General Catalogue
The New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars is a well-known catalogue of deep sky objects in astronomy. It contains 7,840 objects, known as the NGC objects...
refers to both objects and not the cluster alone.
External links
- O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum! - Astronomy Sketch of the Day 12-25-2008