The Fox Fur Nebula: NGC 2264 in Monoceros | Steward Observatory

The Fox Fur Nebula: NGC 2264 in Monoceros | Steward Observatory

The Fox Fur Nebula is a nebula (a formation of gas and dust) located in the constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn) not far off the right arm of Orion and included in the NGC 2264 Region. In the Sharpless catalog it is number 273. This image is a close-up of a small section of a much larger complex, generally known as the Christmas Tree cluster. The Cone Nebula is also a part of the same cloud. 

The red regions of this nebula are caused by hydrogen gas that has been stimulated to emit its own light by the copious ultraviolet radiation coming from the hot, blue stars of the cluster. The blue areas shine by a different process. They are mainly dust clouds that reflect the bluish light of the same stars.

The popular name of this nebula comes from those who thought it looked like the head of a stole made from the fur of a red fox. A stole is a woman's shoulder scarf of fur.

Distance: 2,700 light years

Technical Details

Optics: Phillips 24-inch RCOS Telescope

Camera: SBIG STL11000

Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block/Mount Lemmon SkyCenter/University of Arizona

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Nebulae #Nebula #NGC2264 #Sh2273 #EmissionNebula #Monoceros #Constellation #MilkyWayGalaxy #Cosmos #Universe #StewardObservatory #UA #MountLemmonObservatory #PhillipsTelescope #Astrophotographer #AdamBlock #Arizona #UnitedStates #STEM #Education