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Astrophotography by Eddie Guscott

NGC2264 - The Christmas Tree Cluster

In the constellation of Monoceros lies an enormous molecular cloud of gas and dust. Shown below is just a small part of that cloud which contains the star cluster NGC2264 and associated reflection (blue) nebulosity. The better known Cone Nebula is situated just off the top of the image.

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Date/Location:	12 January 2005 Corringham, Essex
Equipment:	5" f/6 refractor
Camera/Exposure:	ST2000XM CCD camera HaRGB image 80/30/30/30 minutes in 10 minute sub-exposures
Notes:	Recently found on the hard drive of my observatory computer, this data set was not very good at all. I had been experimenting with diffraction spikes on a refractor by using wooden dowels in front of the objective. Tracking was not exceptional with some star trailing evident. I recall that my processing skills at the time (2005) did not allow for a decent image to be produced from the weak data. Focus was a little off.

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