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Christmas Tree Cluster NGC2264

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (5600x3667)

Scope: FSQ-106N at  f/5,  Location: DAA Observatory, Shelter Valley, CA,  21 and 24 January 2023, Camera: ASI2600MM (Astronomik type 2c LRGB and Ha filters)

Exposure: H-Alpha 64 x 5 min (gain-160 1x1), Lum 64 x 3.5 min (gain-130 1x1), RGB 20 x 2 min (gain-100 1x1) 

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Sub-frame calibration - Pixinsight (WBPP). Sub-frame  registration and integration (Average combine - Winsorized Sigma Clipping) - PixInsight (WBPP).  Mure Denoise - PixInsight. Deconvolution of H-Alpha, Luminance, and RGB (combined) images (at linear state) - BlurXTerminator. Photometric RGB calibration - PixInsight. Generation of starless H-Alpha, Luminance, and RGB (combined) images (at linear state) for later processing - Star XTerminator. Non-linear stretching and gradient removal - PixInsight. Starless H-Alpha and Luminance images screen combined - PixInsight. Starless combined H-Alpha luminance used as luminosity for starless RGB - Pixinsight.  Stars only image (LRGB combine) separately stretched - Pixinsight. Starless LRGB and stars only LRGB screen combined - PixInsight.  Final finishing  - Affinity Photo.  Annotation - PixInsight, Aladin (Simbad), and Affinity Photo. This image is a  LRGB wide band image  with Luminance layering.  Image processed at 6178x4045 resolution. Final Image size is approximately  5600x3667.

 

North is to the right in this image. This image shows an extended area of gas and dust within the larger Monoceros OB1 star association. The dominant structure in the image the popularly known Christmas Tree / Cone/ Fox Fur nebula (Sh2-273, LBN 911, Ced 84b). The star cluster NGC 2264 contains the ionizing star, 15 Mon. This structure is about 2,400 light years distant. Also present in this image is Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC 2261), several emission nebulae from the LBN catalog (LBN 899, LBN 902), and open clusters (NGC 2259, Trumpler 5). Dark nebulae from LDN and TGU catalogs are prominent in this image as well. This region of the Milky way Galaxy is an active star forming region. These objects and  some of the brighter stars are identified in the annotated images. This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the Archives here.  The Horizontal FOV is  approximately 2.5 degrees. The full size image scale is about 1.62 arcsec/pix

Image center is located approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 06h 39m 09s Dec: +09°52'51"

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2023

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