description IC 405 (Flaming Star) Overview
IC 405, commonly known as the Flaming Star Nebula, is an emission and reflection nebula located in the northern constellation Auriga. It is illuminated by the runaway star AE Aurigae, which is currently passing through the surrounding cloud of interstellar dust and gas. The star itself is not native to the region, having been ejected from the Orion Nebula millions of years ago.
help IC 405 (Flaming Star) FAQ
Why does IC 405 appear to surround AE Aurigae?
AE Aurigae is passing through a cloud of gas and dust and supplies the radiation that makes much of it glow. Ionized gas produces emission light, while nearby dust also reflects starlight.
Where did the runaway star AE Aurigae come from?
Astronomers trace it back toward the Trapezium region of the Orion Nebula. A stellar encounter around 2.5 million years ago may have ejected AE Aurigae and Mu Columbae in different directions.
How fast is AE Aurigae moving?
NASA describes the runaway star as traveling at roughly 100 kilometers per second. That unusual velocity carries it through the material that forms the visible Flaming Star Nebula.
Can the Flaming Star Nebula be seen with a small telescope?
It is much fainter than bright objects such as the Orion Nebula, so dark skies and a wide-field telescope are helpful. Long-exposure astrophotography, particularly with hydrogen-alpha sensitivity, reveals far more structure than visual observation.
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