Christmas Tree Nebula (NGC 2264 & my new Favorite)

The Christmas Tree Nebula is very aptly named. NGC 2264 is the location where the Cone Nebula, the Stellar Snowflake Cluster and the Christmas Tree Cluster have formed in this emission nebula. The Snowflake Cluster was granted its name due to its unmistakable pinwheel-like shape and its assortment of bright colors. The Christmas Tree star formation consists of young stars obscured by heavy layers of dust clouds. These dust clouds, along with hydrogen and helium are producing luminous new stars. The combination of dense clouds and an array of colors creates a color map filled with varying wavelengths. Of course I have to reveal it's distance from my telescope and camera, 2,350 light years. 228 FITS (RAW) and 189 stacked with 60 FLATS for photo below.

 

Soul Nebula (IC1848)

The Soul nebula (IC 1848)The Soul Nebula is approximately 6,500 light-years away and spans about 100 light-years in size. It is a star-forming region containing several small open clusters. I took 82 photos each of 30 second duration and kept 73 for stacking (105 Gain, 60 Flats for imperfection elimination and zero darks).

 

Seagull Nebula (Seagull's Head)

This interesting reflection nebula is under 2000 light years from my camera. The worm like dust lane kind of outlines a gull winged bird. If I had gotten the entire nebula you could barely see a head and set of wings. 2025-01-03 I captured 206 frames and kept 156 for the stack, with 60 flat frames and zero darks at 30 seconds each and a gain of 105 at 12 bits