When to photograph NGC 2264 (Cone Nebula and Christmas Tree Cluster)

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are December and January, with up to 7.7 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 55° at its highest.

From 35° S the best months are December and January, with up to 4.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 45° at its highest.

Framing

Its long axis is 11′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1650 to 3760 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 2530 to 5790 mm.

Filters and the moon

It glows in H-alpha, and often OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera or narrowband filters on a mono camera cut light pollution and keep it workable with the moon up. The dark sky calendar shows which nights this month are moon-free where you are.

Plan it for tonight

Dates and times depend on your exact location. The imaging planner shows NGC 2264's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.

Nearby targets

• NGC 2261 Hubble's Variable Nebula 1.2° away
• NGC 2239 5.4° away
• NGC 2238 Rosette Nebula 5.5° away
• NGC 2174 Monkey Head Nebula 13.2° away
• IC 443 Jellyfish Nebula 13.9° away
• NGC 2392 Eskimo Nebula 16.0° away