NGC 2264

Two other objects are within this designation but not officially included, the Snowflake Cluster,[3][4] and the Fox Fur Nebula.

For reference, the Stellar Snowflake Cluster is located 2,700 light years away in the constellation Monoceros.

The Snowflake Cluster was granted its name due to its unmistakable pinwheel-like shape and its assortment of bright colors.

When referring to this emission nebula overall, there are several aspects that contribute to the prominent configuration of a snowflake and/or Christmas tree cluster.

There is a diverse arrangement of brilliant colors, and an evolving process of structure that follow star formation in a nebula.

NGC 2264 : Cone Nebula at bottom with inverted Christmas Tree cluster above the cone; the bright star just above the cone is the tree topper and the very bright star at the top of the image ( S Monocerotis ) is the center of the tree trunk. The Fox Fur Nebula is at the top right corner. The Snowflake nebula is in the middle which shows up better on the infrared image. Credit ESO