Target guide · star-forming nebula
NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster with a smart telescope
NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster is a star-forming nebula about 11 arcminutes (0.19°) across. It is highest around midnight in December, well placed from both hemispheres, and works from a suburb; a darker site gives a much cleaner result. Of the 14 smart telescopes we track, Odyssey, Odyssey Pro, eQuinox 2 frame it best.
Key facts
| Catalogue | NGC 2264 |
|---|---|
| Type | star-forming nebula |
| Apparent size | 11′ × 11′ |
| Position (J2000) | RA 6.68 h, Dec 9.9° |
| Highest at midnight | December (±2 weeks) |
| Sky needed | Suburban sky |
In the best-matching frame
Imaging tips
This type glows in the specific colours of hydrogen and oxygen. If your smart telescope has a dual-band or light-pollution filter, use it: it blocks much of the city glow while letting the nebula through. Christmas Tree Cluster is a reasonable target from the suburbs.
Which smart telescope frames it best
| Telescope | Field of view | Fit | Mosaic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unistellar Odyssey | 0.75° × 0.56° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar Odyssey Pro | 0.75° × 0.56° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar eQuinox 2 | 0.76° × 0.57° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar eVscope 2 | 0.76° × 0.57° | fits well | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S50 | 1.29° × 0.73° | fits well | one frame |
| Celestron Origin Mark II | 1.32° × 0.75° | fits well | one frame |
| DWARFLAB DWARF mini | 2.13° × 1.2° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S30 | 2.14° × 1.21° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S50 Pro | 2.45° × 1.38° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera II | 2.5° × 1.4° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera 3 | 2.5° × 1.4° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera Pro 2 | 1.6° × 1.6° | small in the frame | one frame |
| DWARFLAB DWARF 3 | 2.93° × 1.65° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S30 Pro | 3.99° × 2.24° | small in the frame | one frame |
How high it gets from where you live
Highest altitude above a flat horizon. Below about 20° the image suffers from haze and light pollution; trees and roofs often block it completely.
| Latitude | Highest altitude |
|---|---|
| Oslo, 60° N | 40° |
| Amsterdam, 52° N | 48° |
| Madrid, 40° N | 60° |
| Miami, 26° N | 74° |
| Equator | 80° |
| Sydney, 34° S | 46° |
Nearby in the sky
Objects close to NGC 2264 in the sky, so you can image them in the same session.
- NGC 2237 Rosette Nebula
- NGC 2174 Monkey Head Nebula
- IC 443 Jellyfish Nebula
- NGC 2392 Eskimo Nebula
- M35
- M78
Questions and answers
- Can I photograph NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster from a city?
- It is possible: it works from a suburb; a darker site gives a much cleaner result.
- Which smart telescope is best for NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster?
- Odyssey, Odyssey Pro, eQuinox 2 frame it best in a single frame, based on its size and each telescope's field of view.
- When is the best time to photograph NGC 2264 Christmas Tree Cluster?
- It is highest around midnight in December and well placed from both hemispheres. From 52° north it climbs to about 48° at most.