IC 405

IC 405, also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, is an emission nebula in Auriga that surrounds the variable star AE Auriga. Although shining at a visual magnitude of about 6, it is so spread out (about 20 by 40 minutes) that it is very faint and quite difficult to image, which is disappointing because of its brilliant red color. After several previous failed attempts, I was able to secure the black and white image below in February of 2013 under very dark skies. The nebula is quite near to the open star clusters M36 and M38, as well as the emission nebula IC 410. The nebula lies about 1,500 light-years away from Earth and the proper motion of the central star AE seems to trace back to the area of Orion's belt.

Image taken February 6, 2013, with the C-14 operating at F:3.5 and the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2. Exposure was 20 minutes using T & A.