IC 405 aka. SH 2-229 Flaming Star Nebula
Magnitude: 6.0
Distance Aprox: 1,500 light-years
Diameter: 5 light-years
Constellation: Auriga
The Flaming Star Nebula is a diffuse emission/reflection nebula. It surrounds the irregular variable star AE Aurigae, a runaway star believed to originate in the Orion’s Belt area in Orion constellation. It lies a degree and a half west of IC 410 (tadpole), which is another nebula, one that surrounds the small open star cluster NGC 1893.
The Flaming Star Nebula has two regions, an emission nebula and a reflection nebula. The bluish region’s colour comes from the blue light of AE Aurigae, as reflected by the surrounding dust.
The nebula is mainly made up of hydrogen, but also contains carbon-rich dust, which comprises the blue regions of the nebula and reflects the light of AE Aurigae.
AE Aurigae, the central star in the Flaming Star Nebula, is blue O-type main sequence dwarf, a hot star emitting so much light that it knock away electrons from the gas that surrounds it. As a result, the surrounding nebula glows red.
Taken 2/24/20 in Scout Key Florida by Russell Kille on a William Optics 51mm Redcat Refractor @ F5
Flaming Star (bottom right) together with the Tadpole Nebula (upper left)
Taken 2/19/18 in Chiefland Florida by Russell Kille on a CPC 1100 with Hyperstar @ F2 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera
Click for full resolution.
