AAO image reference AAT 14b. « Previous || Next »
Top left is NE. Image width is about 24 arc min
Image and text © 2001-2010, Australian Astronomical Observatory, photograph by David Malin.
The region around the 4.7 magnitude star S Mon is a fascinating mixture of red fluorescent hydrogen and dark, obscuring dust lanes. Some dust patches are close enough to bright stars to reflect light from them; these appear blue for the same reason that the day-time sky is blue - because some of the interstellar particles preferentially scatter blue light. The dust is mixed with gas and this affects the appearance of the emission nebulae, giving some of the faintest a curious 'fox fur' texture in this enhanced photograph. About 250 stars have been recognised as members of NGC 2264 which is at a distance of about 2700 light years.
Related Images
AAT 13. The Cone nebula in the NGC 2264 cluster
AAT 14. NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis
AAT 14a. NGC 2264 and S Monocerotis, wide field
UKS 29. The Cone nebula and Trumpler 5
Constellation of Monoceros (external site)
For details of photographic exposure, search technical table by AAT reference number.