Part 8/13:
The Cone Nebula, part of the larger NGC 2264 region, resembles a Christmas tree when rotated. Its dense, pillar-like structure is approximately 2,700 light-years away, stretching about 7 light-years long. The nebula owes its shape to ionized hydrogen gas illuminated by nearby massive young stars, especially an O-type star at its core.
Infrared observations reveal the intricate structure and highlight the role of UV radiation in sculpting such features. The star formation activity within the region underscores the ongoing stellar nurseries within our galactic neighborhood.