                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 January 10
    A conical interstellar dust pillar is pictured. The pillar is mostly
    brownish-red but surrounded by stars. Please see the explanation for
                         more detailed information.

                          NGC 2264: The Cone Nebula
                 Image Credit & Copyright: Matthew Dieterich

   Explanation: Stars are forming in the gigantic dust pillar called the
   Cone Nebula. Cones, pillars, and majestic flowing shapes abound in
   stellar nurseries where clouds of gas and dust are sculpted by
   energetic winds from newborn stars. The Cone Nebula, a well-known
   example, lies within the bright galactic star-forming region NGC 2264.
   The featured image of the Cone was captured recently combining 24-hours
   of exposure with a half-meter telescope at the El Sauce Observatory in
   Chile. Located about 2,500 light-years away toward the constellation of
   the Unicorn (Monoceros), the Cone Nebula's conical pillar extends about
   7 light-years. The massive star NGC 2264 IRS, is the likely source of
   the wind sculpting the Cone Nebula and lies off the top of the image.
   The Cone Nebula's reddish veil is produced by glowing hydrogen gas.

   Discovery + Outreach: Graduate student research position open for APOD
                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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