The Flaming Star Nebula

Flaming Star

Acquisition: AT115EDT. December, 2023


Location in Sky

Rosette nebula

Quick Facts

  • Catalog: IC 405.
  • Discovered: 1892, John Martin Schaeberle.
  • Distance from Earth: 1,500 light-years.
  • Diameter: 5 Lightyears.
  • Magnitude: 6
  • Best Visible: December.
  • Description

    The Flaming Star Nebula, named after its intricate dust lanes is located in the Auriga Constellation. The bright star located left-center, AE Auriga, is so hot it ionizes the surrounding gas, knocking electrons loose. When an electron is recaptured by a proton, red light is usually emitted, shown here in orange.