The Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405) is the very large star forming region of Emission Nebula with a scattering of Reflection Nebula on the right side of the photo. The bright star in the center of the complex is the powerful star AE Auriga which shines through dust and causes the reflection component you see here as a blue tinge. Unlike Emission Nebula, Reflection Nebula do not shine by their own light and energy. However, both types of nebula fall in the same general category of "Bright Nebula".

What makes IC 405 particularly interesting is the fact that AE Auriga is completely unassociated with the nebula complex. It was not formed there like the bright star roughly in the center of the reflection component of M 20. AE Auriga's birth place is M 42 The Great Orion Nebula to the south of the constellation Auriga and is just passing through.

Visible on the left side of the photo is the Emission Nebula IC 410. Within it is contained Open Cluster NGC 1893.

Area around AE Auriga shot at 2,000mm.

• Type: Emission/Reflection Nebula/Open Cluster
• Distance from Earth: 1,600 Light Years
• Exposure Length: (2) x 45 Min. Digitally combined
• Focal Length: 530mm @ f/3.3
• Guiding: ST-4 AE= A2
• Film: Hypersensitized PJ400
• Instrument: Takahashi Epsilon 160 Hyperbolic Astrograph
• Date: 04NO02