| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| H II region | |
 Fox Fur Nebula taken from the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Schulman Telescope | |
| Observation data:J2000epoch | |
| Subtype | Diffuse +Dark |
| Distance | 2,700 ly |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Designations | NGC 2264, Sh2-273 |
| See also:Lists of nebulae | |
TheFox Fur Nebula is anebula (a formation of gas and dust) located in the constellation ofMonoceros (the Unicorn) not far off the right arm ofOrion and included in theNGC 2264 Region. In theSharpless catalog it is number 273.
The image is a close-up of a small section of a much larger complex, generally known as theChristmas Tree cluster. TheCone Nebula is also a part of this same cloud.
The red regions of this nebula are caused by hydrogen gas that has been stimulated to emit its own light by the copious ultraviolet radiation coming from the hot, blue stars of the cluster. The blue areas shine by a different process: they are mainly dust clouds that reflect the bluish light of the samestars.
Its popular name arises because the nebula looks like the head of astole made from thefur of ared fox.[1]