C 31 Flaming Star Nebula

Figure 1. The Flaming Star Nebula (C 31 / IC 405)

The Flaming Star Nebula, cataloged as C 31 and IC 405, is a combined emission and reflection nebula in the constellation Auriga, surrounding the hot, blue runaway star AE Aurigae. Its reddish “flame” structure comes from glowing hydrogen gas ionized by energetic radiation, while blue regions shine with starlight reflected from surrounding dust. Located roughly 1,500 light-years from Earth and spanning about 5 light-years, the nebula’s rippling filaments of gas and carbon-rich dust give AE Aurigae the appearance of being engulfed in fire in long-exposure images.