The Christmas Tree Cluster (NGC 2264) is an asterism (group of stars with a noticeable structure resembling other objects) in the constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn) just off the right arm of Orion, the Hunter. The brightest star in the cluster serves as the trunk with the next brightest as the tree-topper, with the remaining stars in a zig-zag pattern similar to a typical drawing of a Christmas tree. Coincidentally, this cluster is easily visible from the northern hemisphere with a low power telescope or binoculars in the evenings starting around November.

Image Center:	View full size annotated image.
Right Ascension:	6h 41m 7.452s (100° 16m 51.786s)
Declination:	+9° 42m 49.700s
Orientation:	Up is 6.3 degrees West of North.
Image Size:	49.363' x 58.679'	Pixel Scale:	2.142"

Principal objects in field: Christmas Tree cluster, Cone nebula, NGC 2264, The star 15Mon

All identified catalog objects: 15Mon, HD 261446, HD 261584, HD 261585, HD 261586, HD 261622, HD 261657, HD 261658, HD 261683, HD 261711, HD 261736, HD 261737, HD 261782, HD 261783, HD 261809, HD 261810, HD 261840, HD 261841, HD 261842, HD 261878, HD 261879, HD 261902, HD 261903, HD 261904, HD 261936, HD 261937, HD 261938, HD 261939, HD 261940, HD 261941, HD 261969, HD 262013, HD 262014, HD 262041, HD 262066, HD 262108, HD 262109, HD 262110, HD 262137, HD 262138, HD 262177, HD 262209, HD 262261, HD 262262, HD 262318, HD 262319, HD 262320, HD 262346, HD 262370, HD 262371, HD 262403, HD 262404, HD 47554, HD 47732, HD 47755, HD 47777, HD 47839, HD 47887, HD 47934, HD 47961, HD 48012, HD 48055, NGC 2264