Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)

 

Object Type: Emission & Reflection Nebula
Scope: Orion APO 80mm
Exposure 180 minutes

 

 

IC 405 (also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is an emission/reflection nebula[1] in the constellation Auriga, surrounding the bluish star AE Aurigae. It shines at magnitude +6.0. 

 

Its celestial coordinates are RA 05h 16.2m dec +34° 28. It surrounds the irregular variable star AE Aurigae and is located near the emission nebula IC 410, the open cluster M38, and the naked-eye K-class star Hassaleh. 

 

The nebula measures approximately 37.0' x 19.0', and lies about 1,500 light-years away.[2] It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the Orion's Belt area. The nebula is about 5 light-years across