Flaming Star (IC 405)

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

The Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405, Sh2-229, Caldwell 31) is a combined emission and reflection nebula in Auriga, wrapped around the hot, bluish variable star AE Aurigae. It lies about 1,500 light-years away and spans roughly 5 light-years. AE Aurigae is a 'runaway' star: its motion can be traced back toward the Orion's Belt region, suggesting it was flung out of that area millions of years ago and is now lighting up an unrelated cloud of gas and dust it happens to be passing through. The nebula sits near the emission nebula IC 410 and the open cluster M38.