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| The Cone Nebula (which is also known as NGC 2264) is an immense pillar of gas and dust located some 2500 light years away toward the constellation Monoceros. The Cone Nebula is an active site of new star formation. The nebula is being slowly eaten away by ultraviolet radiation from young, hot stars, which are located beyond the top of the image. The knots and filaments on the surface of the pillar is formed as the surface of the pillar––heated by the hot stars––boils away. The entire nebula stretches seven light years in length. |
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