CONE NEBULA AND NGC 2264

2600 light-years

The region around the bright star on the left of this image known as S Monoceros, so named for the constellation in which it is found, is filled with glowing gas and dark dust. To the right side, the Cone Nebula is seen. This structure is a column of dust surrounded by a turbulent area where stars are forming. All of these objects are part of the star cluster NGC 2264.

Credit: Robert Gendler.