A young open cluster forming the 'Christmas Tree' (with S Monocerotis as its trunk), with the dark Cone Nebula at its southern tip (apex of tree). The cluster is visible in binoculars; the Cone Nebula is a very challenging telescopic/photographic object.
Nebula and star cluster in Monoceros. Magnitude 3.9 (the cluster).
Can you see it from Guyana?
From Georgetown (6.8° N) it climbs to 87° above the northern horizon at its highest; from Lethem (3.4° N), to 84° above the northern horizon. It is highest at midnight on the night of 29 Dec, in the middle of its season. The page works out tonight's rise, highest point and set for both towns in Guyana time (UTC-4), and where the Moon is.
What you'll see
Your eyes: Visible to the eye even from Georgetown, as a misty patch.
10x50 binoculars: A misty patch around its stars.
A small telescope (80 to 100 mm): The Christmas Tree cluster is easy; the Cone Nebula is a camera target.
A camera: Spans about 40% of an APS-C frame at 500 mm (field 2.7° × 1.8°); needs a tracking mount. An H-alpha-sensitive (modified) camera brings out its red glow.
How big, how bright, how far
Size on the sky: 60′, 1.9 Moons across (the Moon is about 31′ wide).
Brightness: magnitude 3.9. Brighter than the faintest stars Georgetown shows (4.3), and Lethem's (6.0).
Distance: 2,600 light-years. The light reaching your eye left it about 2,600 years ago.
What it is made of
Type
Emission Nebula with Open Cluster
Distance
Approx. 2,600 Lightyears
True size
Cluster ~20 Lightyears, Nebula larger
Cone Nebula (Dark Nebula): Pillar of dark dust and gas
Christmas Tree Cluster (Open Cluster): Young stars, S Monocerotis at apex
Emission Nebulosity: Surrounding HII region, red glow
Fox Fur Nebula (Reflection Nebula): Blue reflection nebulosity nearby