The Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405) is a very large star forming region of Emission Nebula with a scattering of Reflection Nebula. 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.

• Type: Emission/Reflection Nebula
• Distance from Earth: 1,600 Light Years
• Exposure Length: 1hr 37 min
• Focal Length: 2,000 mm @ f/10
• Guiding: ST-4 AE= A3
• Film: PJ400
• Date: 15SE01

Aditional Photographic Notes: This photograph represents just the center portion of the Flaming Star Nebula. The nebula would be better captured with an instrument with a focal length of something on the order of 800 to 1,000 mm as apposed to my current instrument which has a focal length of 2,000 mm. This nebula complex is much larger than this photograph. Shot in 04NO02, You can see the whole Flaming Star Nebula HERE shot at 530mm along with IC410.

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