IC 405

IC 405
emission nebula
reflection nebula

White light image of the Flaming Star Nebula showing the "smoke" of reflection nebula
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension 05h 16m 05s
Declination +34° 27 49
Distance 1500 ly
Apparent magnitude (V) +6.0?
Apparent dimensions (V) 37 × 10
Constellation Auriga
Physical characteristics
Radius 2.5 ly
Designations Flaming Star Nebula, Caldwell 31, Sharpless 229

IC 405 (also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is an emission/reflection nebula[1] in the constellation Auriga, surrounding the bluish star AE Aurigae. It shines at magnitude +6.0. Its celestial coordinates are RA 05h 16.2m dec +34° 28.[2] It surrounds the irregular variable star AE Aurigae and is located near the emission nebula IC 410, the open clusters M38 and M36, and the naked-eye K-class star Hassaleh. The nebula measures approximately 37.0' x 19.0', and lies about 1,500 light-years away.[2] It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the Orion's Belt area.[2] The nebula is about 5 light-years across.[1]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Nemiroff, Robert; Bonnell, Jerry (2003-11-24). "APOD: 2003 November 24 - IC 405: The Flaming Star Nebula". APOD (NASA). Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Darling, David. "Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)". The Internet Encyclopedia of Science. Retrieved 2008-08-08.

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